Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Johnstown Colorado

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Johnstown CO, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school 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 more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Johnstown CO attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities might include:

• Researching and fact checking cases
• Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
• Drafting correspondence and legal papers
• Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
• Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
• Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records

With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand 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 volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.

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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Johnstown CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.

Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes

Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for students living in Johnstown CO looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs

Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Johnstown CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.

Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Johnstown CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.

What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Johnstown CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.

Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Johnstown CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly 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 field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Colorado or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Johnstown CO area.

How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. 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 minimize some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Johnstown CO. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.

Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Johnstown CO, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Johnstown

Enroll in the Best Johnstown Paralegal Studies School

Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying 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 privacy and comfort of your Johnstown home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Johnstown Colorado.

 

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