Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Castle Rock Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Castle Rock CO and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Castle Rock CO attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, 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 assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Castle Rock CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require 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 an option as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address 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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Castle Rock CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program 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 formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Castle Rock CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at 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 ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization 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 education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Castle Rock CO law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Castle Rock CO law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide 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 start developing contacts within the Castle Rock CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. 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 may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Castle Rock CO area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Castle Rock CO. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Castle Rock CO, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Castle Rock
Enroll in the Right Castle Rock Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee 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 comfort and privacy of your Castle Rock home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Castle Rock Colorado.
Castle Rock Paralegal Training | Castle Rock How To Become A Paralegal