Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Denver Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Denver CO and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. 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 vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Denver CO attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage 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. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Denver CO is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Denver CO looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Denver CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Denver CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Denver CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Denver CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Colorado or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Denver CO area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Denver CO. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Denver CO, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Denver
Choose the Best Denver Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Denver residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive 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 ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Denver Colorado.