Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Riverside California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Riverside CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into consideration also. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Riverside CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready 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 demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Riverside CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Riverside CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Riverside CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of 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 critical aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. 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. Many Riverside CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have 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. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Riverside CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Riverside CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing 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 great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Riverside CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Riverside CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Riverside CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Riverside
Enroll in the Best Riverside Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree school is an essential 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 at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Riverside residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Riverside California.
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