Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Kingsburg California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Kingsburg CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best school 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 more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Kingsburg CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing 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 other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized 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 duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Kingsburg CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, 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 boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first 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 common and can be an excellent option for students living in Kingsburg CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Kingsburg CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Kingsburg CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Kingsburg CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Kingsburg CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Kingsburg CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. 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 obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Kingsburg CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Kingsburg CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Kingsburg
Choose the Best Kingsburg Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Kingsburg residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Kingsburg California.