Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Merced California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Merced CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Many prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account also. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Merced CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Merced CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 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 earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned 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 may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Merced CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Merced CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Merced CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Merced CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Merced CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great 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 differ among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire 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 need to first consider those colleges that are within the Merced CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Merced CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Merced CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Merced
Enroll in the Best Merced Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is a vital 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 Merced home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Merced California.