Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Palo Alto California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Palo Alto CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants 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 separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Palo Alto CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. 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 administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Palo Alto CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Palo Alto CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Palo Alto 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 especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Palo Alto CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Palo Alto CA law offices that you may have an interest 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 rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Palo Alto CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly 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, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Palo Alto CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, 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 may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Palo Alto CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Palo Alto CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Palo Alto
Enroll in the Right Palo Alto Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Palo Alto residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior 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 opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Palo Alto California.
Palo Alto Paralegal Certificate | Palo Alto Paralegal Degrees