Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Rosemont California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Rosemont CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered too. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Rosemont CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 start your career as a legal assistant in Rosemont CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Rosemont CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address 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 looking into 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 formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Rosemont CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal 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 program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education 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 Rosemont CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Rosemont CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Rosemont CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Rosemont CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, 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 as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Rosemont CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Rosemont CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Rosemont
Choose the Best Rosemont Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Rosemont residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain 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 ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Rosemont California.
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