Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick 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 satisfying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many options? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search 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 a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Rosemont CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Rosemont CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal 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 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Rosemont CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as 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 may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Rosemont CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable 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 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 show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Rosemont CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Rosemont CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Rosemont CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Rosemont CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Rosemont CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Rosemont CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Rosemont
Choose the Best Rosemont Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Rosemont home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Rosemont California.