Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Paradise California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Paradise CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school 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? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered too. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Paradise CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Paradise CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired 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 might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Paradise CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Paradise CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 previously covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Paradise CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Paradise CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Paradise CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire 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 may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Paradise CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Paradise CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Paradise CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Paradise
Enroll in the Right Paradise Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Paradise residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Paradise California.