Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Manhattan Beach California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Manhattan Beach CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Manhattan Beach CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle 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 prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Manhattan Beach CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although 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 also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Manhattan Beach CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Manhattan Beach CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 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 demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Manhattan Beach CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous 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. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Manhattan Beach CA law firms that you may be interested 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 exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Manhattan Beach CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those schools that are within the Manhattan Beach CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Manhattan Beach CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Manhattan Beach CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Manhattan Beach
Enroll in the Right Manhattan Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Manhattan Beach residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education 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 ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Manhattan Beach California.
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