Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Right One Near Highlands Ranch Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Highlands Ranch CO and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic options 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 alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same 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 belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Highlands Ranch CO attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially 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 quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Highlands Ranch CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Highlands Ranch CO looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated 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.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Highlands Ranch CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to 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 looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Highlands Ranch CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Highlands Ranch CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Highlands Ranch CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Highlands Ranch CO region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Highlands Ranch CO. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Highlands Ranch CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Highlands Ranch
Choose the Right Highlands Ranch Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Highlands Ranch residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Highlands Ranch Colorado.
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