Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Marina California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Marina CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school must be considered also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Marina 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 duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Marina CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for those living in Marina CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Marina CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Marina 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 obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, 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 verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Marina CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Marina CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the Marina CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Marina CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Marina CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Marina
Enroll in the Best Marina Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Marina residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Marina California.