Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Boulder Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Boulder CO and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other important 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 available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Boulder CO attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including 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 are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since 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 Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Boulder CO is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for students living in Boulder CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs 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 certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Boulder CO area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential 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 important factors to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may 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 education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Boulder CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Boulder CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Boulder CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through 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, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Boulder CO area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Boulder CO. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Boulder CO, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Boulder
Enroll in the Right Boulder Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Boulder home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Boulder Colorado.
Boulder Paralegal Certificate Programs | Boulder Paralegal Certificate