Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Burien Washington
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Burien WA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Burien WA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready 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 complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Burien WA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Washington to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Burien WA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Burien WA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Burien WA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Burien WA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Burien WA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Washington legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in Washington or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the Burien WA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Burien WA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Burien WA, verify 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, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Burien
Enroll in the Right Burien Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Burien home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect 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 final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Burien Washington.