Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Pacifica California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Pacifica CA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at 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 the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Pacifica 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 based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Pacifica CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Pacifica CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Pacifica CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know 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 the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Pacifica CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Pacifica CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Pacifica CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Pacifica CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Pacifica CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Pacifica CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Pacifica
Choose the Right Pacifica Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Pacifica home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Pacifica California.
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