Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Manhattan Beach California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Manhattan Beach 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 extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered 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 roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Manhattan Beach CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Manhattan Beach CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and can be a good option for individuals living in Manhattan Beach CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Manhattan Beach CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Manhattan Beach CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Manhattan Beach CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Manhattan Beach CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field 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 a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Manhattan Beach CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Manhattan Beach CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Manhattan Beach CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Manhattan Beach
Choose the Right Manhattan Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Manhattan Beach residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Manhattan Beach California.
Manhattan Beach How To Become A Paralegal | Manhattan Beach Paralegal Certificate Online