Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Orangevale California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Orangevale CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at 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 essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Orangevale CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular 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 delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Orangevale CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Orangevale CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee 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 respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Orangevale CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most 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 important factors to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Orangevale CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Orangevale CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Orangevale CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Orangevale CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Orangevale CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Orangevale CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Orangevale
Enroll in the Right Orangevale Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Orangevale home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Orangevale California.
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