Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Sterling Colorado
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sterling CO, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive 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 educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered too. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Sterling CO attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering 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 conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest 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. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Sterling CO searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Sterling CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, for instance 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 researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. 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. Numerous Sterling CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick 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 Sterling CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Sterling CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain 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 reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Sterling CO region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Sterling CO. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Sterling CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Sterling
Choose the Right Sterling Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Sterling residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Sterling Colorado.
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