Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Larkspur California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Larkspur CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Larkspur CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main 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 volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
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 job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Larkspur CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 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 two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice 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 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Larkspur CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum 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 thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Larkspur CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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. Numerous Larkspur CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Larkspur CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating 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 School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Larkspur CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the Larkspur CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. 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 also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Larkspur CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Larkspur CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Larkspur
Enroll in the Right Larkspur Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Larkspur home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Larkspur California.
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