Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Oak Park California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Oak Park CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Oak Park CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Oak Park CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 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.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Oak Park CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational 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 vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Oak Park CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Oak Park CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Oak Park CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Oak Park CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Oak Park CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Oak Park CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Oak Park
Choose the Right Oak Park Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Oak Park residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Oak Park California.