Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Petaluma California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Petaluma CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into consideration also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Petaluma CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Petaluma CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many 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 two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree 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 guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Petaluma CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Petaluma CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to 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 school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Petaluma CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Petaluma CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Petaluma CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Petaluma CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Petaluma CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Petaluma CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Petaluma
Choose the Right Petaluma Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Petaluma home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Petaluma California.