Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Waipahu Hawaii
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Waipahu HI, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Waipahu HI lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks 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, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically 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 fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Waipahu HI is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Waipahu HI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Waipahu HI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized organization 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 focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Waipahu HI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Waipahu HI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Waipahu HI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Waipahu HI region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Waipahu HI. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Waipahu HI, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Waipahu
Enroll in the Right Waipahu Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Waipahu residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective 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 assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Waipahu Hawaii.
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