Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near San Juan Capistrano California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near San Juan Capistrano CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? 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 most affordable 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. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, 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 San Juan Capistrano CA attorneys with a wide range 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 are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering 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 carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more suited 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients 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 academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in San Juan Capistrano CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first 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 programs have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in San Juan Capistrano CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the San Juan Capistrano CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential 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 critical aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many San Juan Capistrano CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few San Juan Capistrano 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 excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the San Juan Capistrano CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the San Juan Capistrano CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in San Juan Capistrano CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near San Juan Capistrano CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in San Juan Capistrano
Choose the Right San Juan Capistrano Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your San Juan Capistrano residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational 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 programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Juan Capistrano California.
San Juan Capistrano Paralegal Certificate | San Juan Capistrano Paralegal Degrees