Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near West Rancho Dominguez California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near West Rancho Dominguez CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist West Rancho Dominguez CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. 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 could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
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. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in West Rancho Dominguez CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned 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. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies in the field 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for students living in West Rancho Dominguez CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the West Rancho Dominguez CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if 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 important issues to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at 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 ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of West Rancho Dominguez 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 available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some West Rancho Dominguez 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the West Rancho Dominguez CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools 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 large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the West Rancho Dominguez CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in West Rancho Dominguez CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near West Rancho Dominguez CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in West Rancho Dominguez
Enroll in the Right West Rancho Dominguez Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 West Rancho Dominguez residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in West Rancho Dominguez California.
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