Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Lake Arrowhead California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lake Arrowhead CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, 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 Lake Arrowhead CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Lake Arrowhead CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Lake Arrowhead CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example 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 could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Lake Arrowhead CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick 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 education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Lake Arrowhead CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Lake Arrowhead CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Lake Arrowhead CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. 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 sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Lake Arrowhead CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Lake Arrowhead CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lake Arrowhead 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 enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lake Arrowhead
Choose the Best Lake Arrowhead Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step toward 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Lake Arrowhead home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private 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 pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance 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 presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lake Arrowhead California.
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