Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Rancho Cucamonga California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Rancho Cucamonga CA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Rancho Cucamonga CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow 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 activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Rancho Cucamonga CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Rancho Cucamonga CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Rancho Cucamonga CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research 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 programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Rancho Cucamonga CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Rancho Cucamonga CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Rancho Cucamonga CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Rancho Cucamonga CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Rancho Cucamonga CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Rancho Cucamonga CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Rancho Cucamonga
Enroll in the Best Rancho Cucamonga Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Rancho Cucamonga home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Rancho Cucamonga California.
Rancho Cucamonga Paralegal Training | Rancho Cucamonga How To Become A Paralegal