Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Jurupa Valley California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Jurupa Valley CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Jurupa Valley CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting 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 quite 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 action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically 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 fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Jurupa Valley CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for students living in Jurupa Valley CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, 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 idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Jurupa Valley CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Jurupa Valley CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available 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 contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Jurupa Valley CA law firms 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 among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Jurupa Valley CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid 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 sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Jurupa Valley CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Jurupa Valley CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Jurupa Valley CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Jurupa Valley
Choose the Best Jurupa Valley Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Jurupa Valley home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Jurupa Valley California.
Jurupa Valley Paralegal Studies | Jurupa Valley Paralegal Schools