Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Phelan California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Phelan CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, 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 help Phelan CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as 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 diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because 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 actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Phelan CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many 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. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Phelan CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online 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 quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, 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 could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Phelan CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 covered, there are other critical factors to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Phelan CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, 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 an excellent first step. Checking school rating services 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 what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Phelan CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose 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 first consider those colleges that are within the Phelan CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Phelan CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Phelan CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Phelan
Choose the Right Phelan Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Phelan residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Phelan California.