Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near San Marino California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near San Marino CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, 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 various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help San Marino CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay 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 involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in San Marino CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in San Marino CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain 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 instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the San Marino CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many San Marino CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several San Marino CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the San Marino CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the San Marino CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in San Marino CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near San Marino CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in San Marino
Choose the Best San Marino Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your San Marino home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in San Marino California.
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