Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Lawndale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lawndale CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just 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 reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Lawndale CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos 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 number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Lawndale CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Lawndale CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Lawndale CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective 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 critical factors to consider 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 investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Lawndale CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely 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 determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Lawndale CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Lawndale CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out 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 indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Lawndale CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Lawndale CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Lawndale CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, 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 Paralegal in Lawndale
Enroll in the Best Lawndale Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 Lawndale home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lawndale California.