Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Palm Springs California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Palm Springs CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, 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 programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration too. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Palm Springs CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Palm Springs CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work 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 regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Palm Springs CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs 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 reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, 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 may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices 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 Palm Springs CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective 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 significant factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Palm Springs CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? 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 experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Palm Springs CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Palm Springs CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good 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 in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Palm Springs CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palm Springs CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Palm Springs CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Palm Springs
Enroll in the Best Palm Springs Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Palm Springs home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Palm Springs California.
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