Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Paso Robles California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Paso Robles CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other important 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 what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Paso Robles CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties 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 the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Paso Robles CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired 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 obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in Paso Robles CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs 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 address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Paso Robles CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential 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 important aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Paso Robles CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Paso Robles CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Paso Robles CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Paso Robles CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Paso Robles CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Paso Robles CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Paso Robles
Enroll in the Right Paso Robles Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Paso Robles home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Paso Robles California.
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