Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Rancho Mirage California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Rancho Mirage CA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available 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 school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered as well. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Rancho Mirage CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Rancho Mirage CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Rancho Mirage CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Rancho Mirage CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Rancho Mirage CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Rancho Mirage CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Rancho Mirage CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Rancho Mirage CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Rancho Mirage CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Rancho Mirage CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Rancho Mirage
Enroll in the Best Rancho Mirage Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Rancho Mirage home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Rancho Mirage California.
Rancho Mirage Paralegal Studies | Rancho Mirage Paralegal Schools