Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Kahului Hawaii
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Kahului HI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account also. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Kahului HI attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very 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 confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Kahului HI is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Kahului HI searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Kahului HI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Kahului HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Kahului HI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Kahului HI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Hawaii or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Kahului HI area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget 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 expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Kahului HI. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Kahului HI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Kahului
Enroll in the Right Kahului Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Kahului home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Kahului Hawaii.
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