Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Aurora Colorado
Once 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 selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account too. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Aurora CO attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting 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 managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs 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 may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for those living in Aurora CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Aurora CO area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if 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 previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating 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 select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Aurora CO law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose 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 call a few Aurora CO law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Aurora CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Aurora CO region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Aurora CO. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Aurora CO, make certain 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. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Aurora
Enroll in the Right Aurora Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate program is a vital first step toward 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 residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Aurora Colorado.