Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Rancho San Diego California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Rancho San Diego CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, 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 paralegals and legal assistants help Rancho San Diego CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
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 educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Rancho San Diego CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Rancho San Diego CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Rancho San Diego CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may 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 standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Rancho San Diego CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Rancho San Diego CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Rancho San Diego CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Rancho San Diego CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Rancho San Diego CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Rancho San Diego CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Rancho San Diego
Choose the Right Rancho San Diego Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Rancho San Diego home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Rancho San Diego California.
Rancho San Diego Paralegal Certificate Online | Rancho San Diego Paralegal Studies