Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Santa Rosa California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Santa Rosa CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal 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 educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Santa Rosa CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Santa Rosa CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. 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 two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the field 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Santa Rosa CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Santa Rosa CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Santa Rosa CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Santa Rosa CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Santa Rosa CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial 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 placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Santa Rosa CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Santa Rosa CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Santa Rosa CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Santa Rosa
Choose the Right Santa Rosa Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed 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 Santa Rosa home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful 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 provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Santa Rosa California.
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