Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find 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 start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered too. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions 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 assist Los Angeles CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Los Angeles CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Los Angeles CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Los Angeles CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know 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 also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Los Angeles CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Los Angeles CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Los Angeles CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Los Angeles CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount 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 assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Los Angeles CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Los Angeles CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Los Angeles
Choose the Right Los Angeles Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed 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 Los Angeles residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Los Angeles California.
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