Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Visalia California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Visalia CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Visalia CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
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 academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Visalia CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in Visalia CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure 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 formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Visalia CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can 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 start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Visalia CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Visalia CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Visalia CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. 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 a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since 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 practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Visalia CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Visalia CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Visalia CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Visalia
Enroll in the Right Visalia Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying 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 Visalia residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Visalia California.