Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Phelan California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Phelan CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes 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. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Phelan CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos 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, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Phelan CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Phelan CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding 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 accessible at junior and community colleges in the Phelan CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Phelan CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal 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 need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Phelan CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Phelan CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Phelan CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Phelan CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Phelan CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Phelan
Choose the Best Phelan Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Phelan residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational 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 wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Phelan California.
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