Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Superior Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Superior CO and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account also. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Superior CO attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare 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 rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability 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 essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Superior CO is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous 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 degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 school (we will cover the advantages 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.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Superior CO looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Superior CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to think about 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 researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Superior CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available 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 new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Superior CO law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which 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 Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Superior CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Superior CO region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Superior CO. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Superior CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Superior
Enroll in the Right Superior Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Superior home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Superior Colorado.