Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Roseville California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Roseville CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Roseville CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Roseville CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the field 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 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Roseville CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering 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 conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Roseville CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in 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 online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Roseville CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Roseville CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Roseville CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Roseville CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Roseville CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Roseville CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Roseville
Choose the Right Roseville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Roseville home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school 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 schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Roseville California.
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