Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Johnstown Colorado
Once 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 choosing a school. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more academic options 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 enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account also. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Johnstown CO lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 paralegal in Johnstown CO is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the profession 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Johnstown CO searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Johnstown CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues 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 programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get 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 as well. Many Johnstown CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Johnstown CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer 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 creating contacts within the Johnstown CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Johnstown CO area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Johnstown CO. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Johnstown CO, make sure 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. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Johnstown
Choose the Best Johnstown Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Johnstown residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Johnstown Colorado.