Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Cherry Creek Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Cherry Creek CO and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Cherry Creek CO lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos 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, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Cherry Creek CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may 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 establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Cherry Creek CO looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Cherry Creek CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Cherry Creek CO law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Cherry Creek CO law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Cherry Creek CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. 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 large 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? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Cherry Creek CO region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Cherry Creek CO. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Cherry Creek CO, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Cherry Creek
Choose the Right Cherry Creek Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an important 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 at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Cherry Creek residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Cherry Creek Colorado.
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