Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near West Hills California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near West Hills CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? Many potential students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover 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 take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help West Hills CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in West Hills CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 address 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 Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in West Hills CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as 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 may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the West Hills CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of West Hills CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few West Hills CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the West Hills CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the West Hills CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in West Hills CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near West Hills CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in West Hills
Enroll in the Best West Hills Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your West Hills residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in West Hills California.
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