Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Temple City California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Temple City CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration as well. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Temple City CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, 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. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to 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 regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Temple City CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the field 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Temple City CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Temple City CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to consider also, 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 investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Temple City CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Temple City CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Temple City CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Temple City CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. 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 cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Temple City CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Temple City CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Temple City
Choose the Best Temple City Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Temple City home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection 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, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Temple City California.
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