Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose 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 fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Roseville CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Roseville CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Roseville CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Roseville CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 targets distance or online training. 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. Many Roseville CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Roseville 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 when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Roseville CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Roseville CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received 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 books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Roseville CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Roseville CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Roseville
Choose the Right Roseville Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Roseville home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound 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 greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Roseville California.