Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Pueblo West Colorado
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pueblo West CO, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Pueblo West CO attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. 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 could help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited 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 manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
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. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Pueblo West CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in Pueblo West CO searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools 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 quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Pueblo West CO area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Pueblo West CO law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Pueblo West CO law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Pueblo West CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Pueblo West CO area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Pueblo West CO. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Pueblo West CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Pueblo West
Choose the Right Pueblo West Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Pueblo West home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Pueblo West Colorado.
Pueblo West Paralegal Certificate | Pueblo West Paralegal Degrees