Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Rubidoux California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Rubidoux CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take 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 essentially both hold comparable 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Rubidoux CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow 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 everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents 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 responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Rubidoux CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 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.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Rubidoux CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. 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 dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Rubidoux CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Rubidoux CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Rubidoux CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Rubidoux CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out 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 indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Rubidoux CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Rubidoux CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Rubidoux CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Rubidoux
Enroll in the Best Rubidoux Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Rubidoux residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Rubidoux California.
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