Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Redondo Beach California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Redondo Beach CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational alternatives 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 approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? Many potential students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Redondo Beach CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Redondo Beach CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Redondo Beach CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance 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 might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Redondo Beach CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many 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 significant issues to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Redondo Beach CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose 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 call a few Redondo Beach CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Redondo Beach CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Redondo Beach CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Redondo Beach CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Redondo Beach CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Redondo Beach
Enroll in the Right Redondo Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is a crucial 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Redondo Beach residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Redondo Beach California.
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