Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Montclair California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Montclair CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive 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 more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? Some 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 best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Montclair CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Montclair CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal 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 agencies 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Montclair CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Montclair CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many 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 aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Montclair CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Montclair CA law firms 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 among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Montclair CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Montclair CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Montclair CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes 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 Montclair CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Montclair
Enroll in the Right Montclair Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies training school 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 Montclair home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Montclair California.
Montclair Paralegal Certificate | Montclair Paralegal Degrees