Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Visalia California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Visalia CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in 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 and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only 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 Visalia CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work 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 comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals 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 lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, 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 essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Visalia CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although 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 also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Visalia CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Visalia CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start 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 programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Visalia CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Visalia CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Visalia CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Visalia CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Visalia CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Visalia CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Visalia
Enroll in the Best Visalia Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Visalia home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Visalia California.