Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Greenwood Village Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Greenwood Village CO and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered too. 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 academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Greenwood Village CO attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite 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 they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 Greenwood Village CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Greenwood Village CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Greenwood Village CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Greenwood Village CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Greenwood Village CO law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Greenwood Village CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Colorado or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Greenwood Village CO area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Greenwood Village CO. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Greenwood Village CO, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Greenwood Village
Enroll in the Right Greenwood Village Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Greenwood Village home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, 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 profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Greenwood Village Colorado.
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