Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Palos Verdes Estates California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Palos Verdes Estates CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account too. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Palos Verdes Estates CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, 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 help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Palos Verdes Estates CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Palos Verdes Estates CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Palos Verdes Estates CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Palos Verdes Estates CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Palos Verdes Estates CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Palos Verdes Estates CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Palos Verdes Estates CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. 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 minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palos Verdes Estates CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Palos Verdes Estates CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Palos Verdes Estates
Enroll in the Best Palos Verdes Estates Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, 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 residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Palos Verdes Estates California.
Palos Verdes Estates Paralegal Schools | Palos Verdes Estates Paralegal Training