Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Simi Valley California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Simi Valley CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Simi Valley CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited 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, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Simi Valley CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Simi Valley CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Simi Valley CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Simi Valley CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Simi Valley CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Simi Valley CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Simi Valley CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Simi Valley CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Simi Valley CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Simi Valley
Enroll in the Best Simi Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Simi Valley home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training 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 ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Simi Valley California.
Simi Valley Paralegal Certificate Online | Simi Valley Paralegal Studies