Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Los Alamitos California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Los Alamitos CA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Los Alamitos CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as 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 might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Los Alamitos CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired 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 boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Los Alamitos CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Los Alamitos CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn 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 most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Los Alamitos CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Los Alamitos CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Los Alamitos CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success 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 sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge 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 Los Alamitos CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Los Alamitos CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Los Alamitos CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Los Alamitos
Enroll in the Right Los Alamitos Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Los Alamitos home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Los Alamitos California.
Los Alamitos Paralegal Certificate | Los Alamitos Paralegal Degrees