Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Stevenson Ranch California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Stevenson Ranch CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account too. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, just 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 Stevenson Ranch CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers 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 authorized to do is give 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 really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Stevenson Ranch CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may 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 increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Stevenson Ranch CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain 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 disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Stevenson Ranch CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation 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 thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Stevenson Ranch CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Stevenson Ranch CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Stevenson Ranch CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first 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. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Stevenson Ranch CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Stevenson Ranch CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Stevenson Ranch CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Stevenson Ranch
Enroll in the Best Stevenson Ranch Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an important first step toward 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Stevenson Ranch residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose 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 right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Stevenson Ranch California.
Stevenson Ranch Paralegal Certificate | Stevenson Ranch Paralegal Degrees