Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Rosedale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Rosedale CA and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes 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. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered too. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives 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 roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Rosedale CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal 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 code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Rosedale CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Rosedale CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Rosedale CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 already discussed, there are other significant factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few 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 School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Rosedale CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Rosedale CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Rosedale CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial 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 Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous 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 important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Rosedale CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. 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 also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Rosedale CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Rosedale CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Rosedale
Choose the Best Rosedale Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Rosedale home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Rosedale California.
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