Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Monrovia California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Monrovia CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? A number of potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable 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. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Monrovia CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping 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 complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Monrovia CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be a good option for students living in Monrovia CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Monrovia CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization 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 targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Monrovia CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Monrovia CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Monrovia CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools 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 large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. 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 might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Monrovia CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Monrovia CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Monrovia CA, make sure classes are available 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. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Monrovia
Enroll in the Right Monrovia Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Monrovia home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Monrovia California.