Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near San Lorenzo California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near San Lorenzo CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into consideration too. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help San Lorenzo CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep 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 very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in San Lorenzo CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in San Lorenzo CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the San Lorenzo CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many 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 important 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 should be asking the programs you are considering 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 pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many San Lorenzo CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some San Lorenzo CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the San Lorenzo CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the San Lorenzo CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. 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 also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in San Lorenzo CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near San Lorenzo CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in San Lorenzo
Enroll in the Best San Lorenzo Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Lorenzo residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Lorenzo California.
San Lorenzo Paralegal Certificate Online | San Lorenzo Paralegal Studies