Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Aurora Colorado
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Aurora CO, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students start by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Aurora CO attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Aurora CO is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Aurora CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Aurora CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Aurora CO law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Aurora CO law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Aurora CO legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to work. 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 need to first consider those schools that are within the Aurora CO area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Aurora CO. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Aurora CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Aurora
Enroll in the Right Aurora Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Aurora home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Aurora Colorado.
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