Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Right One Near Riverbank California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Riverbank CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Riverbank CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly 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 standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks 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 have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Riverbank CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose 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 increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Riverbank CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Riverbank CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective 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 important aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some 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 Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Riverbank CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Riverbank CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Riverbank CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. 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 first consider those colleges that are within the Riverbank CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Riverbank CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Riverbank CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Riverbank
Choose the Best Riverbank Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Riverbank residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Riverbank California.
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