Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Lafayette Colorado
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lafayette CO, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive 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 options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Lafayette CO attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Lafayette CO is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Lafayette CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive 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 study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lafayette CO area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation 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 ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Lafayette CO law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Lafayette CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Lafayette CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Lafayette CO region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. 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 obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Lafayette CO. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Lafayette CO, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lafayette
Choose the Right Lafayette Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lafayette residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lafayette Colorado.