Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Westminster California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Westminster CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options 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, only 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Westminster CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare 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 involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Westminster CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Westminster CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Westminster CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Westminster CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Westminster CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Westminster CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high 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? Because laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Westminster CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Westminster CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Westminster 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 choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Westminster
Enroll in the Right Westminster Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Westminster residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, 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 impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Westminster California.
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