Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Wildomar California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Wildomar CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same 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 different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Wildomar CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, 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 limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand 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 clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Wildomar CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover 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.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Wildomar CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address 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 certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Wildomar CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable 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 certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Wildomar CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. 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 caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Wildomar CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Wildomar CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Wildomar CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Wildomar CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Wildomar CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Wildomar
Enroll in the Right Wildomar Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Wildomar home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wildomar California.