Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Rancho Cordova California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Rancho Cordova CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically 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 are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Rancho Cordova CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Rancho Cordova CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Rancho Cordova CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Rancho Cordova CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential 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 important issues to think about as well, such as 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 programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. 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 Rancho Cordova CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Rancho Cordova CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Rancho Cordova CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Rancho Cordova CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Rancho Cordova CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Rancho Cordova CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Rancho Cordova
Enroll in the Right Rancho Cordova Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Rancho Cordova residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training 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 appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Rancho Cordova California.
Rancho Cordova Paralegal Certificate Programs | Rancho Cordova Paralegal Certificate