Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Shafter California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Shafter CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Shafter CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Shafter CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages 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.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Shafter CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced 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 guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Shafter CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Shafter CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Shafter CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Shafter CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably 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 reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Shafter CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Shafter CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Shafter CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Shafter
Choose the Best Shafter Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Shafter home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Shafter California.
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