Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Lake Elsinore California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Lake Elsinore CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Lake Elsinore CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lake Elsinore CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get 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 also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Lake Elsinore CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Lake Elsinore CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Lake Elsinore CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Lake Elsinore CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Lake Elsinore CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the Lake Elsinore CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lake Elsinore CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Lake Elsinore CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Lake Elsinore
Enroll in the Best Lake Elsinore Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Lake Elsinore residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Lake Elsinore California.
Lake Elsinore Paralegal Certificate | Lake Elsinore Paralegal Degrees