Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Merced California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Merced CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Merced CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Merced CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Merced CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Merced CA area, as well as trade and vocational 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 degree and certificate 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 previously covered, there are other important issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get 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 obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Merced CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Merced CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Merced CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Merced CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Merced CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Merced CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Merced
Enroll in the Best Merced Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate 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 choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Merced residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Merced California.
Merced Paralegal Certificate Programs | Merced Paralegal Certificate