Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Sherman Oaks California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sherman Oaks CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, 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 separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Sherman Oaks CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases 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. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Sherman Oaks CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Sherman Oaks 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 certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Sherman Oaks CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Sherman Oaks CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Sherman Oaks CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Sherman Oaks CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. 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 sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Sherman Oaks CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. 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 also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Sherman Oaks CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Sherman Oaks CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Sherman Oaks
Enroll in the Right Sherman Oaks Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is a vital first step to guarantee 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 privacy and comfort of your Sherman Oaks residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating 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 have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Sherman Oaks California.
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