Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Mountain View California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Mountain View CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Mountain View CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour 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 varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Mountain View CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for students living in Mountain View CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Mountain View CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of 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 crucial factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Mountain View CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Mountain View CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Mountain View CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably 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 programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Mountain View CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Mountain View CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Mountain View CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Mountain View
Enroll in the Right Mountain View Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Mountain View residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Mountain View California.
Mountain View Paralegal Certificate | Mountain View Paralegal Degrees