Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Red Bluff California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Red Bluff CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into account too. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Red Bluff CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping 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 job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Red Bluff CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Although 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 as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning 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 Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Red Bluff CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Red Bluff CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn 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 also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Red Bluff CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking 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 call several Red Bluff CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Red Bluff CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select 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 local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Red Bluff CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Red Bluff CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Red Bluff CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Red Bluff
Enroll in the Best Red Bluff Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Red Bluff home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Red Bluff California.
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