Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Vineyard California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Vineyard CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Vineyard CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal 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 abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep 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 challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice 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 right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Vineyard CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 address 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.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Vineyard CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Vineyard CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know 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 many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Vineyard CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Vineyard CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Vineyard CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Vineyard CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Vineyard CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Vineyard CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Vineyard
Enroll in the Best Vineyard Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Vineyard residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Vineyard California.