Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Wailuku Hawaii
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Wailuku HI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be considered as well. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Wailuku HI lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as 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 practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Wailuku HI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Wailuku HI looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Wailuku HI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over 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 ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 also. Numerous Wailuku HI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific 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. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Wailuku HI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Wailuku HI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Hawaii or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Wailuku HI area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Wailuku HI. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Wailuku HI, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Wailuku
Choose the Best Wailuku 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 addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Wailuku home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education 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 final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wailuku Hawaii.
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