Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Riverside California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Riverside CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job positions 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Riverside CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Riverside CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Riverside CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Riverside CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School 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 program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Riverside CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Riverside CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Riverside CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? 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 help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Riverside CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Riverside CA. Needless to say that 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 Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Riverside CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Riverside
Enroll in the Best Riverside Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Riverside residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Riverside California.