Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Riverside California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Riverside CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Riverside CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs 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 fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Riverside CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Riverside 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 obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible 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 compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Riverside CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need 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 rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Riverside CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent 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 a means for students to start developing contacts within the Riverside CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Riverside CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Riverside CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Riverside CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Riverside
Enroll in the Best Riverside Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, 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. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Riverside California.