Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Louisville Colorado
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Louisville CO, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic 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 fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Louisville CO lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Louisville CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Louisville CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Louisville CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add 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 significant issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several 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 Program and School 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 may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education 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 Louisville CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Louisville CO law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Louisville CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing 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 great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary 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 want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Louisville CO region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, 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 also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Louisville CO. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Louisville CO, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Louisville
Enroll in the Best Louisville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Louisville residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Louisville Colorado.