Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Livermore California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Livermore CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into account as well. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take 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
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Livermore CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics 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 perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Livermore CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Livermore CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, 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 obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Livermore 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 especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over 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 School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Livermore CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Livermore CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Livermore CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Livermore CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Livermore CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Livermore CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Livermore
Enroll in the Best Livermore Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Livermore home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire 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 ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Livermore California.
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