Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Sterling Colorado
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sterling CO, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest 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 many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Sterling CO attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Sterling CO is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Sterling CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable 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 degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Sterling CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency 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 training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Sterling CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Sterling CO law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Sterling CO legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Sterling CO region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Sterling CO. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Sterling CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Sterling
Choose the Best Sterling Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Sterling home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Sterling Colorado.
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