Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Westmont California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Westmont CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable 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 belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Westmont CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially 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 paralegal in Westmont CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (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.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be a good option for students living in Westmont CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training 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 Westmont CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Westmont CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Westmont CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep 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 Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Westmont CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those schools that are within the Westmont CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Westmont CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Westmont 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 select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Westmont
Enroll in the Right Westmont Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Westmont residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including 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. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Westmont California.