Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Morgan Hill California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Morgan Hill CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Morgan Hill CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Morgan Hill CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for students living in Morgan Hill CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Morgan Hill CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential 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 important factors to research as well, for instance 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 ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Morgan Hill CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Morgan Hill CA law firms 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 among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Morgan Hill CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Morgan Hill CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Morgan Hill CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Morgan Hill CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Morgan Hill
Choose the Best Morgan Hill Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Morgan Hill home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education 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 realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Morgan Hill California.
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