Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near La Canada Flintridge California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near La Canada Flintridge CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program 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 accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly 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 comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist La Canada Flintridge CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers 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 essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in La Canada Flintridge CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose 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 maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in La Canada Flintridge CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases 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 schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance 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 could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the La Canada Flintridge CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of La Canada Flintridge CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some La Canada Flintridge CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when 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 a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the La Canada Flintridge CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing 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 great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the La Canada Flintridge CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in La Canada Flintridge CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near La Canada Flintridge CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in La Canada Flintridge
Choose the Right La Canada Flintridge Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important 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 La Canada Flintridge home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in La Canada Flintridge California.
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