Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near San Jose California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near San Jose CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered as well. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same 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 separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help San Jose CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel 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. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in San Jose CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in San Jose CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the San Jose CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of San Jose CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few San Jose CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the San Jose CA legal community. 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 entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the San Jose CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in San Jose CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near San Jose CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in San Jose
Choose the Best San Jose Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your San Jose residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational 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 broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Jose California.