Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Porterville California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Porterville CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into account as well. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Porterville CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated 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 proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Porterville CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Porterville CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Porterville CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Porterville CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Porterville CA law firms 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Porterville CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Porterville CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Porterville CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Porterville CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Porterville
Choose the Best Porterville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Porterville residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, 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 opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless 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 review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Porterville California.
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