Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near La Mirada California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near La Mirada CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just 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 considered also. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help La Mirada CA attorneys with a wide range 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 are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in La Mirada CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in La Mirada CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the La Mirada CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many La Mirada CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few La Mirada CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the La Mirada CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great 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 differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create 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 choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the La Mirada CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in La Mirada CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near La Mirada CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in La Mirada
Enroll in the Best La Mirada Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your La Mirada home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in La Mirada California.
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