Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Grand Junction Colorado
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Grand Junction CO, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Grand Junction CO lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents 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 provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually 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 fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Grand Junction CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be a good option for those living in Grand Junction CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous 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 so that you can 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 start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Grand Junction CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Grand Junction CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Grand Junction CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Grand Junction CO region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained 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 aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Grand Junction CO. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Grand Junction CO, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Grand Junction
Choose the Right Grand Junction Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Grand Junction home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, 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 impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Grand Junction Colorado.
Grand Junction Paralegal Degrees | Grand Junction Paralegal Courses