Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Rosedale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Rosedale CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account also. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Rosedale CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Rosedale CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for students living in Rosedale CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance 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 might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Rosedale CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 important aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Rosedale CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Rosedale CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program 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 present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Rosedale CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Rosedale CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Rosedale CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Rosedale CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Rosedale
Enroll in the Best Rosedale Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate program 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 on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Rosedale home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Rosedale California.