Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Turlock California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Turlock CA and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially 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 are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Turlock CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers 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 involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Turlock CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal 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. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Turlock CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain 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, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Turlock CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Turlock CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Turlock CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Turlock CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish 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 may want to first look at those schools that are within the Turlock CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. 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 might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Turlock CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Turlock CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Turlock
Choose the Best Turlock Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Turlock residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Turlock California.