Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Whittier California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Whittier CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into account also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Whittier CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, 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 firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically 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 way to start your career as a legal assistant in Whittier CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Whittier CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into 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 obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Whittier CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Whittier CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Whittier CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Whittier CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement 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 students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Whittier CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Whittier CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Whittier CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Whittier
Choose the Right Whittier Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an important 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Whittier home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Whittier California.