Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Temescal Valley California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Temescal Valley CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing 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 start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational 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 responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Temescal Valley CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Temescal Valley CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Temescal Valley CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Temescal Valley CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, for instance 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 researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might 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 also. Many Temescal Valley CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Temescal Valley CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide 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 Temescal Valley CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Temescal Valley CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Temescal Valley CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Temescal Valley CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, 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 Temescal Valley
Enroll in the Best Temescal Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Temescal Valley residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior 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. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Temescal Valley California.
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