Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near South Gate California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near South Gate CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take 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 for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist South Gate CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in South Gate CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages 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.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for students living in South Gate CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into 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 formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the South Gate CA area, in addition to 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 certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of South Gate CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some South Gate CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the South Gate CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large 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? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate 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 area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the South Gate CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in South Gate CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near South Gate CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in South Gate
Choose the Best South Gate Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying 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 comfort and privacy of your South Gate residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in South Gate California.
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