Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Santa Maria California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Santa Maria CA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration too. We will discuss 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 have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only 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 assist Santa Maria CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved 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 limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Santa Maria CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Santa Maria CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Santa Maria CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Santa Maria CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Santa Maria CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Santa Maria CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Santa Maria CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Santa Maria CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Santa Maria CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Santa Maria
Choose the Right Santa Maria Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Santa Maria home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Santa Maria California.
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