Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Tracy California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Tracy CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have 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 fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Tracy CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting 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 rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Tracy CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for those living in Tracy CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater 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 looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Tracy CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Tracy CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Tracy CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Tracy CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Tracy CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense 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 reduce some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Tracy CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Tracy CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Tracy
Enroll in the Right Tracy Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree school is a crucial first step toward 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Tracy residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Tracy California.