Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Lahaina Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lahaina HI and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive 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 academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 Lahaina HI lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined 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 because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Lahaina HI is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Lahaina HI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Lahaina HI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to research as well, such as 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 researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Lahaina HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Lahaina HI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Lahaina HI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Lahaina HI region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Lahaina HI. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Lahaina HI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lahaina
Choose the Best Lahaina Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Lahaina residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lahaina Hawaii.
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