Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near La Puente California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near La Puente CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration too. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions 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 assist La Puente CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in La Puente CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be a good option for students living in La Puente CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the La Puente CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous La Puente CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several La Puente CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the La Puente CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the La Puente CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in La Puente CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near La Puente CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in La Puente
Choose the Best La Puente Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate program is an important first step to guarantee 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your La Puente home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education 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 final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in La Puente California.
La Puente Paralegal Certificate | La Puente Paralegal Degrees