Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Denver Colorado
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Denver CO, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Denver CO lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number 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 arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Denver CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 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 obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Denver CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, 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 degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Denver CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can 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 training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Denver CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Denver CO law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Denver CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Denver CO region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, 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 might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Denver CO. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Denver CO, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Denver
Choose the Right Denver Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Denver residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Denver Colorado.
Denver Paralegal Training | Denver How To Become A Paralegal