Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Spring Valley California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Spring Valley CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Spring Valley CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions 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 manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education 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 fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Spring Valley CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Spring Valley CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea 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 accessible at junior and community colleges in the Spring Valley CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Spring Valley CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Spring Valley CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Spring Valley CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Spring Valley CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Spring Valley CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Spring Valley CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Spring Valley
Enroll in the Right Spring Valley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree program 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 at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Spring Valley home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Spring Valley California.
Spring Valley Paralegal Studies | Spring Valley Paralegal Schools