Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Placentia California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Placentia CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. More and more educational alternatives are being offered 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 with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account as well. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, 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 separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Placentia CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on 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 academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Placentia CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Placentia CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Placentia CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate 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 searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Placentia CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering 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 select 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 contact several Placentia CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Placentia CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Placentia CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Placentia CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Placentia CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Placentia
Enroll in the Best Placentia Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Placentia home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Placentia California.
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