Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Walnut Park California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Walnut Park CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account too. We will discuss those topics and other important 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 exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, 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 assist Walnut Park CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial 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 level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Walnut Park CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee 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 common and can be an excellent option for students living in Walnut Park CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee 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 example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Walnut Park CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected 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 learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Walnut Park CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have 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 verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Walnut Park CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Walnut Park CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Walnut Park CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Walnut Park CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Walnut Park CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Walnut Park
Enroll in the Right Walnut Park Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Walnut Park home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Walnut Park California.
Walnut Park How To Become A Paralegal | Walnut Park Paralegal Certificate Online