Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Los Angeles California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Los Angeles CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive 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 educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration too. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Los Angeles CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday 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
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
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. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Los Angeles CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Los Angeles CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Los Angeles CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially 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 searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Los Angeles CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school 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 some Los Angeles CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Los Angeles CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those schools that are within the Los Angeles CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Los Angeles CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Los Angeles CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Los Angeles
Choose the Best Los Angeles Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Los Angeles home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Los Angeles California.
Los Angeles Paralegal Certificate Online | Los Angeles Paralegal Studies