Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Mililani Town Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Mililani Town HI and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate 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 options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Mililani Town HI lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more applicable 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, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Mililani Town HI is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Mililani Town HI searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Mililani Town HI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation 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 effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization 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 education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Mililani Town HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Mililani Town HI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Mililani Town HI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous 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 develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Mililani Town HI region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, 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 as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Mililani Town HI. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, 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 require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Mililani Town HI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Mililani Town
Choose the Best Mililani Town Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Mililani Town home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Mililani Town Hawaii.
Mililani Town Paralegal Programs | Mililani Town Paralegal Certificate Programs