Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near San Bruno California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near San Bruno CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist San Bruno CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree 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 routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in San Bruno CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work 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 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in San Bruno CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum 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 looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the San Bruno CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
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 might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify 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 as well. Numerous San Bruno CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some San Bruno CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the San Bruno CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running 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 an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to 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 schools that are within the San Bruno CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in San Bruno CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near San Bruno CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in San Bruno
Enroll in the Best San Bruno Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your San Bruno residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Bruno California.