Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Right One Near Ewa Beach Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Ewa Beach HI and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered as well. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, 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 basically both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Ewa Beach HI attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos 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 handle 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Ewa Beach HI is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Ewa Beach HI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address 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 certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Ewa Beach HI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Ewa Beach HI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Ewa Beach HI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Ewa Beach HI legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Hawaii or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Ewa Beach HI region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. 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 may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Ewa Beach HI. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Ewa Beach HI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Ewa Beach
Choose the Right Ewa Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is an important 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 comfort and privacy of your Ewa Beach residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Ewa Beach Hawaii.