Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Ukiah California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Ukiah CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Ukiah CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined 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 since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Ukiah CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Ukiah CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Ukiah CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Ukiah CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Ukiah CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Ukiah CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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 students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Ukiah CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Ukiah CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Ukiah CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Ukiah
Choose the Right Ukiah Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial 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 Ukiah home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Ukiah California.