Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Thornton Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Thornton CO and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Thornton CO lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour 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 code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Thornton CO is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Thornton CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Thornton CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if 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 looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at 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 ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Thornton CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Thornton CO law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Thornton CO legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial 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 Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Thornton CO region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length 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 available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Thornton CO. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many 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 Thornton CO, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Thornton
Enroll in the Best Thornton Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Thornton home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Thornton Colorado.
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