Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Frederick Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Frederick CO and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Frederick CO attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Frederick CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Frederick CO looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials 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 caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Frederick CO area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may 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 future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Frederick CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Frederick CO law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Frederick CO legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Frederick CO region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Frederick CO. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Frederick CO, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Frederick
Enroll in the Best Frederick Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Frederick home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Frederick Colorado.
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