Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Visalia California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Visalia CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration also. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Visalia CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Visalia CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous 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 obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Visalia CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Visalia CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal Program 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 can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Visalia CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance 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 paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Visalia CA law practices 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 ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Visalia CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement 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 substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Visalia CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Visalia CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Visalia CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Visalia
Enroll in the Right Visalia Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is an important 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 on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Visalia residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Visalia California.
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