Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near North Auburn California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near North Auburn CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options 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 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist North Auburn CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep 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 quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants 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 alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in North Auburn CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be a good option for those living in North Auburn CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the North Auburn CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many North Auburn CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few North Auburn CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the North Auburn CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the North Auburn CA region.
How Much is the Total 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 cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in North Auburn CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near North Auburn CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in North Auburn
Enroll in the Right North Auburn Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your North Auburn residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in North Auburn California.
North Auburn Paralegal Programs | North Auburn Paralegal Certificate Programs