Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Lincoln California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lincoln CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, 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
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Lincoln CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite 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 confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Lincoln CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Lincoln CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lincoln 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 when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Lincoln CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely 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 confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Lincoln CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor 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 start developing contacts within the Lincoln CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly 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 require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Lincoln CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Lincoln CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Lincoln CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lincoln
Enroll in the Right Lincoln Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Lincoln home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lincoln California.
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