Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Los Banos California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Los Banos CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Los Banos CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. 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 firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, 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 restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Los Banos CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Los Banos CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Los Banos CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Los Banos CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Los Banos CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Los Banos CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge 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 Banos CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Los Banos CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Los Banos CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Los Banos
Enroll in the Best Los Banos Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Los Banos residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Los Banos California.
Los Banos Paralegal Programs | Los Banos Paralegal Certificate Programs