Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Clifton Colorado
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Clifton CO, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Clifton CO lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Clifton CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Clifton CO searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about 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 formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Clifton CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 covered, there are other critical aspects to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Clifton CO law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Clifton CO law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Clifton CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Clifton CO area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Clifton CO. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Clifton CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Clifton
Choose the Best Clifton Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Clifton residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Clifton Colorado.