Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Pinole California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pinole CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? A number of prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just 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 Pinole CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist 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 attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 start your career as a paralegal in Pinole CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Pinole CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Pinole CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Pinole CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Pinole CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Pinole CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good 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 sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Pinole CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools 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 education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Pinole CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Pinole CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Pinole
Enroll in the Right Pinole Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Pinole residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, 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 impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Pinole California.
Pinole Paralegal Certificate Online | Pinole Paralegal Studies