Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near San Luis Obispo California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near San Luis Obispo CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help San Luis Obispo CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in San Luis Obispo CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for individuals living in San Luis Obispo CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss 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 certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the San Luis Obispo CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of San Luis Obispo CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. 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 education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several San Luis Obispo CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the San Luis Obispo CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the San Luis Obispo CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure 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 minimize some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in San Luis Obispo CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near San Luis Obispo CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in San Luis Obispo
Choose the Right San Luis Obispo Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your San Luis Obispo home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Luis Obispo California.
San Luis Obispo Paralegal Certificate | San Luis Obispo Paralegal Degrees