Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Huntington Beach California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Huntington Beach CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration also. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Huntington Beach CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Huntington Beach CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the field 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Huntington Beach CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Huntington Beach CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Huntington Beach CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Huntington Beach CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Huntington Beach CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Huntington Beach CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Huntington Beach CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Huntington Beach CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Huntington Beach
Enroll in the Right Huntington Beach Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Huntington Beach residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Huntington Beach California.
Huntington Beach How To Become A Paralegal | Huntington Beach Paralegal Certificate Online