Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Pleasant Hill California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pleasant Hill CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for 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 need to be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Pleasant Hill CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role 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 apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Pleasant Hill CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 earning 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 Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for individuals living in Pleasant Hill CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Pleasant Hill CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Pleasant Hill CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Pleasant Hill CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Pleasant Hill CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Pleasant Hill CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include 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 cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Pleasant Hill CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Pleasant Hill CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Pleasant Hill
Choose the Right Pleasant Hill Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Pleasant Hill home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Pleasant Hill California.
Pleasant Hill Paralegal Training | Pleasant Hill How To Become A Paralegal