Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Monterey California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Monterey CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal program so that you will receive 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 being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only 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 Monterey CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Monterey CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for those living in Monterey CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Monterey CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to 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 many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Monterey CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, 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 an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Monterey CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep 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 Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Monterey CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Monterey CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Monterey CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many 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, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Monterey
Choose the Best Monterey Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Monterey residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Monterey California.