Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Mountain View California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Mountain View CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among 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 go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, just 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Mountain View CA attorneys 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney'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 wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready 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 rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Mountain View CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Mountain View CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Mountain View CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Mountain View CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Mountain View CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Mountain View CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Mountain View CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Mountain View CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Mountain View CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Mountain View
Enroll in the Best Mountain View Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Mountain View home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Mountain View California.
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