Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Right One Near Imperial California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Imperial CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account also. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Imperial CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific 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 trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Imperial CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Imperial CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected 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 may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Imperial CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Imperial CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Imperial CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Imperial CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the Imperial CA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include 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 cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Imperial CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Imperial CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Imperial
Enroll in the Right Imperial Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Imperial home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Imperial California.