Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Valinda California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Valinda CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered too. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching 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 offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Valinda CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Valinda CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Valinda CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Valinda CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to 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 searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Valinda CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Valinda CA law offices 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 ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Valinda CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, 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 placement 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 highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Valinda CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Valinda CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Valinda CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Valinda
Enroll in the Best Valinda Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Valinda residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Valinda California.
Valinda Paralegal Programs | Valinda Paralegal Certificate Programs