Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Piedmont California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Piedmont CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Piedmont CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Piedmont CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer 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 an option as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Piedmont CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Piedmont CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Piedmont CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Piedmont CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Piedmont CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Piedmont CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Piedmont CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Piedmont 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 makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Piedmont
Choose the Best Piedmont Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Piedmont home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, 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 profound 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 best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Piedmont California.