Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Woodland Hills California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Woodland Hills CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Woodland Hills CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep 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 involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Woodland Hills CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Woodland Hills CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Woodland Hills CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Woodland Hills CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Woodland Hills CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Woodland Hills CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Woodland Hills CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Woodland Hills CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Woodland Hills CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Woodland Hills
Enroll in the Right Woodland Hills Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Woodland Hills residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Woodland Hills California.
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