Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Kihei Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Kihei HI and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered too. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job roles and functions, 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Kihei HI lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional 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 give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Kihei HI is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Kihei HI searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding 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 Kihei HI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Kihei HI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, 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. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Kihei HI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide 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 pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Kihei HI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement 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 corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Kihei HI region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget 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 department to find out what is offered in Kihei HI. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Kihei 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 enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Kihei
Choose the Best Kihei Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 Kihei home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting 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 have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Kihei Hawaii.