Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Fountain Colorado
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fountain CO, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives 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 schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into consideration also. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Fountain CO lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular 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 trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice 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 attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Fountain CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Fountain CO looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may 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 ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Fountain CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Fountain CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based 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 verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Fountain CO law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Fountain CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Colorado or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Fountain CO region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. 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 part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Fountain CO. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Fountain CO, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Fountain
Enroll in the Right Fountain Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step toward 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 comfort and privacy of your Fountain home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Fountain Colorado.