Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Lamont California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lamont CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Lamont CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Lamont CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Lamont CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lamont CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 discussed, there are other crucial factors to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Lamont CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Lamont CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Lamont CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult 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 large 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 Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Lamont CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lamont CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Lamont CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lamont
Choose the Best Lamont Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Lamont residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program 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, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lamont California.
Lamont Paralegal Training | Lamont How To Become A Paralegal