Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Redding California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Redding CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, 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 Redding CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. 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 may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work 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 abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 begin your career as a paralegal in Redding CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Redding CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs 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 certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, 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 may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Redding CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Redding CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Redding CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Redding CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial 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 Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Redding CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. 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 also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Redding CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Redding CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Redding
Choose the Right Redding Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Redding home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program 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 carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Redding California.
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