Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Rancho Palos Verdes California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Rancho Palos Verdes CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best 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 must be taken into consideration as well. 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 what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job positions 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Rancho Palos Verdes CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to 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 practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
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. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Rancho Palos Verdes CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Rancho Palos Verdes CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training 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 dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Rancho Palos Verdes CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Rancho Palos Verdes CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate 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 experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose 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 call a few Rancho Palos Verdes CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Rancho Palos Verdes CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance 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 confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Rancho Palos Verdes CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Rancho Palos Verdes CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Rancho Palos Verdes CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Rancho Palos Verdes
Enroll in the Best Rancho Palos Verdes Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 Palos Verdes residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Rancho Palos Verdes California.
Rancho Palos Verdes Paralegal Certificate Programs | Rancho Palos Verdes Paralegal Certificate