Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Kirkland Washington
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Kirkland WA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same 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 separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Kirkland WA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Kirkland WA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Washington to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for students living in Kirkland WA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Kirkland WA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some 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 Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Kirkland WA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Kirkland WA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Kirkland WA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Washington legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Washington or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Kirkland WA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Kirkland WA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Kirkland WA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Kirkland
Enroll in the Right Kirkland Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Kirkland home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and 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 profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance 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 furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Kirkland Washington.
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