Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Sun City California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Sun City CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be taken into consideration too. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. 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
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Sun City CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Sun City CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 school (we will address the advantages 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.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Sun City CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure 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 reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Sun City CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Sun City CA law firms will only hire 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 School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school 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 contact a few Sun City CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Sun City CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Sun City CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Sun City CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Sun City CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Sun City
Enroll in the Best Sun City Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Sun City residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, 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 appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Sun City California.