Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near San Bernardino California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near San Bernardino CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching 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 and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 help San Bernardino CA attorneys with a diverse array 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 work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in San Bernardino CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in San Bernardino CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the San Bernardino CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if 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 significant aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools 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 enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous San Bernardino CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few San Bernardino CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the San Bernardino CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the San Bernardino CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned 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 supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in San Bernardino CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near San Bernardino CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in San Bernardino
Enroll in the Right San Bernardino Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your San Bernardino home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Bernardino California.
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