Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Silver Lake California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Silver Lake CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding 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 comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out 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 very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, 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 Silver Lake CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour 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 stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions 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 have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Silver Lake CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Silver Lake CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Silver Lake 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 add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 already discussed, there are other important aspects to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Silver Lake CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid 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 looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Silver Lake CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Silver Lake CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Silver Lake CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Silver Lake CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Silver Lake CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Silver Lake
Enroll in the Right Silver Lake Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Silver Lake home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Silver Lake California.
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