Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Hollister California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Hollister CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Hollister CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Hollister CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the profession are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Hollister CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Hollister CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Hollister CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Hollister CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Hollister CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Hollister CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Hollister CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Hollister CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Hollister
Enroll in the Best Hollister Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Hollister home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Hollister California.