Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Nanakuli Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Nanakuli HI and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. 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 becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered too. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But first, 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 for the most part both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Nanakuli HI attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers 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 complicated and very 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 action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Nanakuli HI is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Nanakuli HI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Nanakuli HI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to research as well, such as 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 considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in 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 targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Nanakuli HI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Nanakuli HI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Nanakuli HI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Nanakuli HI region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Nanakuli HI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Nanakuli HI, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Nanakuli
Choose the Right Nanakuli Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Nanakuli home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Nanakuli Hawaii.