Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Parkway California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Parkway CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Parkway CA lawyers 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. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Parkway CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for students living in Parkway CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Parkway CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Parkway CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Parkway CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Parkway CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding 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. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire 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 reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Parkway CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Parkway CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Parkway CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Parkway
Choose the Right Parkway Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying 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 comfort and privacy of your Parkway home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Parkway California.
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