Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Loma Linda California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Loma Linda CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Loma Linda CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Loma Linda CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Loma Linda CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Loma Linda CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Loma Linda CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Loma Linda CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Loma Linda CA legal community. 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 probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire 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 might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Loma Linda CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Loma Linda CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Loma Linda 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 provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Loma Linda
Enroll in the Right Loma Linda Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 Loma Linda residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Loma Linda California.
Loma Linda Paralegal Certificate Online | Loma Linda Paralegal Studies