Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Laguna Hills California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Laguna Hills CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Laguna Hills CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. 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 confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants 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 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 educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Laguna Hills CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Laguna Hills CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Laguna Hills CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Laguna Hills CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings 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 need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Laguna Hills CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Laguna Hills CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may 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 build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Laguna Hills CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Laguna Hills CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Laguna Hills CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Laguna Hills
Enroll in the Right Laguna Hills Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Laguna Hills home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Laguna Hills California.
Laguna Hills Paralegal Studies | Laguna Hills Paralegal Schools