Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Mendota California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Mendota CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account too. We will discuss those topics and other vital 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 educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Mendota CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Mendota CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for students living in Mendota CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Mendota CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 covered, there are other important factors to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Mendota CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Mendota CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Mendota CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area 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 first look at those schools that are within the Mendota CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Mendota CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Mendota CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Mendota
Choose the Best Mendota Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Mendota home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Mendota California.