Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Kapolei Hawaii
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Kapolei HI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational 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 go about finding the right program with so many options? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable 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 belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Kapolei HI attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Kapolei HI is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Kapolei HI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Kapolei HI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of 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 important factors to consider as well, including 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 researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Kapolei HI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. 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. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Kapolei HI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which 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 Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Kapolei HI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those schools that are within the Kapolei HI region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Kapolei HI. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Kapolei HI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Kapolei
Enroll in the Best Kapolei Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 Kapolei home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Kapolei Hawaii.
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