Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Lake Arrowhead California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Lake Arrowhead CA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential 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 right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable 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 separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Lake Arrowhead CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents 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 complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. 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 attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Lake Arrowhead CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Lake Arrowhead CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lake Arrowhead CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential 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 crucial issues to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Lake Arrowhead CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Lake Arrowhead CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Lake Arrowhead CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating 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 secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want 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 need to first look at those schools that are within the Lake Arrowhead CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length 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 might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Lake Arrowhead CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Lake Arrowhead CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Lake Arrowhead
Choose the Best Lake Arrowhead Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an important 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 on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Lake Arrowhead residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Lake Arrowhead California.
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