Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Cherry Creek Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Cherry Creek CO and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Cherry Creek CO attorneys with a diverse array 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 are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready 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 rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Cherry Creek CO is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 cover 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.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for those living in Cherry Creek CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Cherry Creek CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to research also, for instance 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 investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Cherry Creek CO law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out 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 previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick 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 call a few Cherry Creek CO law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Cherry Creek CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it may 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 valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Cherry Creek CO region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Cherry Creek CO. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Cherry Creek 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 enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Cherry Creek
Enroll in the Right Cherry Creek Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 Cherry Creek residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Cherry Creek Colorado.
Cherry Creek Paralegal Certificate Programs | Cherry Creek Paralegal Certificate