Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Right One Near Pueblo Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Pueblo CO and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be considered also. We will address those topics and other vital 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 what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Pueblo CO lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually 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 quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Pueblo CO is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for those living in Pueblo CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Pueblo CO area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Pueblo 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 obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Pueblo CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Pueblo CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Pueblo CO region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Pueblo CO. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Pueblo CO, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Pueblo
Choose the Right Pueblo Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Pueblo home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Pueblo Colorado.
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