Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Laguna Hills California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Laguna Hills CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into account too. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Laguna Hills CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand 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 volume of cases or clients 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Laguna Hills CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Laguna Hills CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Laguna Hills CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of 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 significant aspects to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Laguna Hills CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Laguna Hills CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Laguna Hills CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Laguna Hills CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Laguna Hills CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Laguna Hills CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Laguna Hills
Enroll in the Right Laguna Hills Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Laguna Hills home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types 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 profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Laguna Hills California.
Laguna Hills Paralegal Certificate | Laguna Hills Paralegal Degrees