Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Lakewood Colorado
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lakewood CO, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other important 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 exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Lakewood CO lawyers with a wide range 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 work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help 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 the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by 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 regular activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lakewood CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Lakewood CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Lakewood CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn 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 as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly 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 respected 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 focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Lakewood CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Lakewood CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Lakewood CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Lakewood CO area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length 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 available to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Lakewood CO. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Lakewood CO, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lakewood
Enroll in the Best Lakewood Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree school is an important first step toward 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 comfort and privacy of your Lakewood home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest 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 presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lakewood Colorado.
Lakewood Paralegal Certificate Online | Lakewood Paralegal Studies