Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Ewa Gentry Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Ewa Gentry HI and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options 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 responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Ewa Gentry HI lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, 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 are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay 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 involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Ewa Gentry HI is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for students living in Ewa Gentry HI looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Ewa Gentry HI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 already covered, there are other crucial factors to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Ewa Gentry HI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Ewa Gentry HI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Ewa Gentry HI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Hawaii or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community 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 might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Ewa Gentry HI area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, 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 as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Ewa Gentry HI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Ewa Gentry HI, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Ewa Gentry
Enroll in the Right Ewa Gentry Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Ewa Gentry residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Ewa Gentry Hawaii.
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