Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Indio California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Indio CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered as well. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Indio CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Indio CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Indio CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Indio CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Indio CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Indio CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Indio CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing 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 good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Indio CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Indio CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Indio CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Indio
Enroll in the Right Indio Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Indio home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive 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 ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Indio California.