Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Madera California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Madera CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones 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 qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask 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 academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same 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 different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Madera CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Madera CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Madera CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools 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 highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Madera CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Madera CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Madera CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Madera CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Madera CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Madera CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Madera CA, make certain 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. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Madera
Enroll in the Right Madera Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate program is an important 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Madera residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Madera California.