Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near San Ramon California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near San Ramon CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same 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 belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help San Ramon CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- 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 role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, 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 restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 Ramon CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 school (we will address 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 legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in San Ramon CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the San Ramon CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of San Ramon CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some San Ramon CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the San Ramon CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the San Ramon CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in San Ramon CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near San Ramon CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in San Ramon
Enroll in the Right San Ramon Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right 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 article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your San Ramon residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in San Ramon California.
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