Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Oak Park California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Oak Park CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Oak Park CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transferring 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 perform 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 firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training 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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Oak Park CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for individuals living in Oak Park CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Oak Park CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Oak Park CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Oak Park CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Oak Park CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Oak Park CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Oak Park CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Oak Park 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 choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Oak Park
Enroll in the Right Oak Park Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Oak Park home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Oak Park California.
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