Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near La Presa California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near La Presa CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. More and more academic options 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. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help La Presa CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an 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 hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, 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 basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in La Presa CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in La Presa CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into 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 certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the La Presa CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about 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 considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous La Presa CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few La Presa CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the La Presa CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great 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 might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the La Presa CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in La Presa CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near La Presa CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in La Presa
Enroll in the Right La Presa Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed 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 Presa residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best 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 presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in La Presa California.
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