Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Irvine California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Irvine CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold 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 Irvine CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Irvine CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Irvine CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Irvine CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected 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 targets distance or online learning. 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 also. Many Irvine CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select 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 call several Irvine CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Irvine CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field 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 a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Irvine CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Irvine CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Irvine CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Irvine
Choose the Right Irvine Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Irvine home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Irvine California.