Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Nipomo California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Nipomo CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives 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 comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Nipomo CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including 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 help with trial logistics or transporting files 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 conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Nipomo CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for those living in Nipomo CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure 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 reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Nipomo CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching 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 select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Nipomo CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Nipomo CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Nipomo CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Nipomo CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Nipomo CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Nipomo 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 select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Nipomo
Choose the Right Nipomo Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Nipomo home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Nipomo California.