Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Santa Rosa California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Santa Rosa CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be considered also. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Santa Rosa CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Santa Rosa CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Santa Rosa CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Santa Rosa CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to research also, 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 schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization 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 online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Santa Rosa CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Santa Rosa CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Santa Rosa CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even 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 a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Santa Rosa CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might 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 Santa Rosa CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Santa Rosa CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Santa Rosa
Enroll in the Best Santa Rosa Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee 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 comfort and privacy of your Santa Rosa residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact 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 best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Santa Rosa California.
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