Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Linda California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Linda CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Linda CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow 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 daily tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Linda CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for students living in Linda CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Linda CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Linda CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. 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 looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Linda CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Linda CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. 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 confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Linda CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Linda CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Linda CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Linda
Choose the Best Linda Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is an important 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 at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Linda residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Linda California.