Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near West Puente Valley California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near West Puente Valley CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. 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
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist West Puente Valley CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to 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, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting 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 additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. 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 truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually 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 way to begin your career as a paralegal in West Puente Valley CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in West Puente Valley CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the West Puente Valley CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
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 might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training 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 Puente Valley CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several West Puente Valley CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the West Puente Valley CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. 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 wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the West Puente Valley CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in West Puente Valley CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near West Puente Valley 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 select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in West Puente Valley
Choose the Best West Puente Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding 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 West Puente Valley residence. Paralegal academic 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 trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in West Puente Valley California.
West Puente Valley How To Become A Paralegal | West Puente Valley Paralegal Certificate Online