Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Grand Junction Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Grand Junction CO and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into account as well. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Grand Junction CO attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education 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 requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Grand Junction CO is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, 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 boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for students living in Grand Junction CO looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic 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 Grand Junction CO area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Grand Junction CO law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Grand Junction CO law practices 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Grand Junction CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. 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 a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Grand Junction CO area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Grand Junction CO. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Grand Junction CO, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Grand Junction
Enroll in the Right Grand Junction Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Grand Junction home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed 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 presented you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Grand Junction Colorado.
Grand Junction Paralegal Schools | Grand Junction Paralegal Training