Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Mililani Mauka Hawaii
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Mililani Mauka HI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Mililani Mauka HI lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Mililani Mauka HI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get 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 also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Mililani Mauka HI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Mililani Mauka HI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Mililani Mauka HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select 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 call a few Mililani Mauka HI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Mililani Mauka HI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering 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 field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent 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 School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire 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 investigate those schools that are within the Mililani Mauka HI region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Mililani Mauka HI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Mililani Mauka HI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Mililani Mauka
Enroll in the Right Mililani Mauka Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Mililani Mauka home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Mililani Mauka Hawaii.
Mililani Mauka Paralegal Training | Mililani Mauka How To Become A Paralegal