Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Soledad California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Soledad CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Soledad CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as 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 are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Soledad CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Soledad CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Soledad CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Soledad 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 obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Soledad CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Soledad CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Soledad CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Soledad CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Soledad CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Soledad
Enroll in the Right Soledad Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 Soledad home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Soledad California.