Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Willowbrook California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Willowbrook CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into account as well. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same 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 belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Willowbrook CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work 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 noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Willowbrook CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Willowbrook CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Willowbrook CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most 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 significant aspects to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Willowbrook CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research 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 make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Willowbrook CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what 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 Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Willowbrook CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing 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 great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Willowbrook CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Willowbrook CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Willowbrook CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Willowbrook
Enroll in the Best Willowbrook Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Willowbrook residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Willowbrook California.
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