Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Evans Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Evans CO and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be considered as well. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill 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 separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Evans CO attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals 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 handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Evans CO is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Evans CO searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least 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 thinking about are accredited by a respected 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 option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Evans CO area, as well as vocational and trade 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 degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation 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 ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Evans CO law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Evans CO law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may 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 establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Evans CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area 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 might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Evans CO area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Evans CO. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Evans CO, verify classes are available 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 process is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Evans
Enroll in the Right Evans Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Evans residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, 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 pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Evans Colorado.