Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Palos Verdes Estates California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Palos Verdes Estates CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest 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. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be considered also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, 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 hold comparable 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 are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Palos Verdes Estates CA attorneys with a wide variety 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 practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks 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, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Palos Verdes Estates CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Palos Verdes Estates CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Palos Verdes Estates CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Palos Verdes Estates CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Palos Verdes Estates CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Palos Verdes Estates CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing 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 good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Palos Verdes Estates CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palos Verdes Estates CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Palos Verdes Estates CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Palos Verdes Estates
Enroll in the Right Palos Verdes Estates Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed 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 Palos Verdes Estates home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Palos Verdes Estates California.
Palos Verdes Estates How To Become A Paralegal | Palos Verdes Estates Paralegal Certificate Online