Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Fort Carson Colorado
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fort Carson CO, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have 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 for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Fort Carson CO lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs 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 job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Fort Carson CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover 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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Fort Carson CO looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Fort Carson CO area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized 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 focuses on online or distance learning. 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 also. Many Fort Carson CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable 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 special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Fort Carson CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Fort Carson CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Fort Carson CO region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Fort Carson CO. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Fort Carson CO, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Fort Carson
Enroll in the Best Fort Carson Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Fort Carson residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fort Carson Colorado.
Fort Carson Paralegal Studies | Fort Carson Paralegal Schools