Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near La Palma California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near La Palma CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account as well. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help La Palma CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready 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 involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably 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 start your career as a paralegal in La Palma CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial 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 schools have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in La Palma CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the La Palma CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to 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 also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous La Palma CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several La Palma CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the La Palma CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance 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 substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the La Palma CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in La Palma CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near La Palma CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in La Palma
Enroll in the Right La Palma Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 La Palma residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in La Palma California.
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