Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Pittsburg California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Pittsburg CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. 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 approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Pittsburg CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. 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 attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Pittsburg CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require 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 extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Pittsburg CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Pittsburg CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Pittsburg CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Pittsburg CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Pittsburg CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Pittsburg CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Pittsburg CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Pittsburg CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Pittsburg
Enroll in the Best Pittsburg Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Pittsburg residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, 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 training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Pittsburg California.