Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Sun Village California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sun Village CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions 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 paralegals and legal assistants help Sun Village CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex 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 proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Sun Village CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Sun Village CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous 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 so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected 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 distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Sun Village CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. 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 quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Sun Village CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Sun Village CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Sun Village CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Sun Village CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Sun Village CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Sun Village
Choose the Right Sun Village Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate program is an essential 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 on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Sun Village home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Sun Village California.
Sun Village Paralegal Studies | Sun Village Paralegal Schools