Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Wheat Ridge Colorado
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Wheat Ridge CO, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Wheat Ridge CO lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Wheat Ridge CO is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Wheat Ridge CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Wheat Ridge CO area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should 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 select should 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 education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Wheat Ridge CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. 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 education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Wheat Ridge CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Wheat Ridge CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Wheat Ridge CO region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Wheat Ridge CO. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Wheat Ridge CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Wheat Ridge
Choose the Right Wheat Ridge Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Wheat Ridge home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Wheat Ridge Colorado.
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