Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Waimalu Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Waimalu HI and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be considered too. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Waimalu HI lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Waimalu HI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Waimalu HI searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as 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 might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Waimalu HI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know 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 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 covered, there are other crucial factors to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, 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 training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Waimalu HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Waimalu HI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Waimalu HI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Waimalu HI area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Waimalu HI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Waimalu HI, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Waimalu
Choose the Best Waimalu Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Waimalu home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Waimalu Hawaii.