Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Yucaipa California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Yucaipa CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option 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 should be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Yucaipa CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Yucaipa CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will discuss the benefits 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.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for students living in Yucaipa CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure 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 highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Yucaipa CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Yucaipa CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Yucaipa CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Yucaipa CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the Yucaipa CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Yucaipa CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Yucaipa CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Yucaipa
Choose the Right Yucaipa Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Yucaipa residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Yucaipa California.