Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Laguna Niguel California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Laguna Niguel CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered too. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at 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 positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Laguna Niguel CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Laguna Niguel CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Laguna Niguel CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Laguna Niguel CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Laguna Niguel CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select 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 some Laguna Niguel CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Laguna Niguel CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Laguna Niguel CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Laguna Niguel CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Laguna Niguel CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Laguna Niguel
Enroll in the Best Laguna Niguel Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Laguna Niguel residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Laguna Niguel California.
Laguna Niguel Paralegal Degrees | Laguna Niguel Paralegal Courses