Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Walnut Park California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Walnut Park CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Many potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account as well. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job positions 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Walnut Park CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare 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 complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
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. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Walnut Park CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Walnut Park CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online 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 certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Walnut Park CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential 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 obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Walnut Park CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Walnut Park CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Walnut Park CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Walnut Park CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Walnut Park CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Walnut Park
Enroll in the Right Walnut Park Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option 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 various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Walnut Park California.
Walnut Park Paralegal Schools | Walnut Park Paralegal Training