Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Oxnard California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Oxnard CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, 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 Oxnard CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Oxnard CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Oxnard CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Oxnard CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 already covered, there are other critical factors to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. 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 also. A number of Oxnard CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Oxnard CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Oxnard CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Oxnard CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Oxnard CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Oxnard CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Oxnard
Enroll in the Best Oxnard Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Oxnard residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Oxnard California.