Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Sun Village California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sun Village CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Sun Village CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting 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 files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Sun Village CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Sun Village CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Sun Village CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program 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 may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Sun Village CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Sun Village CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Sun Village CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Sun Village CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Sun Village CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Sun Village CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Sun Village
Enroll in the Right Sun Village Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 Sun Village home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Sun Village California.
Sun Village Paralegal Certificate | Sun Village Paralegal Degrees