Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Monterey California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Monterey CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Monterey CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Monterey CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want 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 improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for those living in Monterey CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Monterey 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 also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Monterey CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Monterey CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide 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 provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Monterey CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Monterey CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Monterey CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Monterey CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Monterey
Choose the Best Monterey Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Monterey home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Monterey California.
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