Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near San Mateo California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near San Mateo CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at 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 basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist San Mateo CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. 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 firm might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in San Mateo CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for those living in San Mateo CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs 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 certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the San Mateo CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential 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 consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous San Mateo CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific 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. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several San Mateo CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the San Mateo CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the San Mateo CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in San Mateo CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near San Mateo CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in San Mateo
Enroll in the Best San Mateo Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step toward 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your San Mateo residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in San Mateo California.
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