Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Oakdale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Oakdale CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling 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. More and more educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically 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 different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Oakdale CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Oakdale CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Oakdale CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Oakdale CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify 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 also. Numerous Oakdale CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking 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 contact several Oakdale CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though 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 offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Oakdale CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Oakdale CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Oakdale CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Oakdale CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Oakdale
Choose the Best Oakdale Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Oakdale home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Oakdale California.
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