Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Madera California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Madera CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those 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 should take into consideration. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Madera CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted 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 functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 means to start your career as a legal assistant in Madera CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Madera CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, 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 sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Madera CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools 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 enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may 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 education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Madera CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Madera CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Madera CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located 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, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Madera CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Madera CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Madera CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Madera
Enroll in the Right Madera Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 Madera home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Madera California.