Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Murrieta California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Murrieta CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into account too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Murrieta CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, 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 are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Murrieta CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Murrieta CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Murrieta CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Murrieta CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants 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 reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Murrieta CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Murrieta CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high 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 highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Murrieta CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned 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 books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Murrieta CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Murrieta CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Murrieta
Choose the Best Murrieta Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding 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 privacy and comfort of your Murrieta residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Murrieta California.
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