Q: Is financial aid available?

A: We offer 2 different Financial Plans, our plan is available to everyone. Financial aid per se is not offered for an Extension program however money is usually not an issue with our available plans.

Q: Are the Extension Classes, such as Paralegal, Professional Credential Classes’?

A: Yes, upon successful completion of the program and meeting all your obligations of the program, you will receive an Affidavit of Completion. The Professional Paralegal Academy, through our Program, exceeds the mandate for paralegal educational requirements. The California Business and Professions Code section 6450 sets forth stringent requirements for certification of Paralegals. Our program not only meets but also surpasses the requirements for the ‘Professional Credential’. No one offers a better or more comprehensive program.

Q: Do I already have to know a lot about the law to join this class?

A: No, our program works on a building block approach. We will not only teach you all the material, we teach you the thinking process of the legal mind so you can be a true aid to the law firm for which you work. We teach the program from the ground up. You will also go through the entire program with the same group of students with which you started and you will learn as a group. We have been very successful with this concept and will continue this method of teaching.

Q: What does the future hold for Paralegals?

A: Experts and the governmental statistics agree that Paralegal is a high rewarding profession. The coming years will probably have more career opportunities for Paralegals than Attorneys. The latest job search of the top 200 jobs in the country ranked Paralegal 17th while Lawyers were ranked 82nd.

Q: What’s the difference between a Legal Secretary and a Paralegal?

A: While both professions are task oriented legal positions, they differ in the scope of their service. A Legal Secretary reproduces work product and a Paralegal can compose the work and assist with legal analysis, research and writing. The Paralegal drafts various types of legal documents, researches cases and can help an attorney prepare and organize information for trial. Paralegals have a much wider scope of duties and are generally considered more valuable to law offices.

It must be noted, that while a Paralegal cannot practice law or give legal advice, Paralegals can gather factual information about a client’s situation.

Q: Should one become a Legal Secretary first and then seek to become a Paralegal?

A: Often, becoming a Legal Secretary is a first step before going on to become a Paralegal, but it is far from required. If you go through our Paralegal program there is no need to become a Legal Secretary, first before going on to become a Paralegal. We will walk you through it so you don’t have to duplicate your education.

Q: You are in the Job Training office, does that help me for job placement?

A: The Extension office is now under the Job Training banner. Job Training has placed over 15,000 job seekers into new positions. Our Job Training support, while limited, adds a strong network component to help you secure your New Career.

Q: Is LAVC accredited?

A: Los Angeles Valley College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-Secondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Q: Will I have the education I need from this program?

A: Yes, with our Paralegal Program you will be a Paralegal qualified through education and training to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts, evaluation, organization, analysis and communication of relevant facts.

Q: What is Credit vs. Not-for-Credit?

A: All Extension courses are not-for-credit meaning, which means that no units or government funding attaches to students. Students are taking an Extension course to pursue a ‘Direct Path’ to a career. This is not vocational per se, but a pathway to the legal profession.

Q: Is there a big test at the end of the program?

A: No, all testing is done as you go and as the material is current to you.

Although there is no official transcript (that’s only for credit courses), students do receive a grade for each class. Each module must have grading criteria for successful completion. This is accomplished by the instructor of record for the particular class since they hold the necessary expertise.

Q: I have heard the term ABA, is this program ABA?

A: It isn’t, and you may not want it to be. Don’t be misguided by the emphasis others give it. Our program surpasses and gives a wider range of learning than any other program. I believe you should find the paralegal school that works for you and your particular needs. The education that fits into your lifestyle and your budget is something that only you can determine. You should find the best program for you, and not be swayed by what you hear from others, who really have little knowledge on the subject. Decide what you really need and where you want to attend to get you where you want to go.

Nationwide, there are a large number of paralegal programs that meet the ABA standards but do not pursue ABA approval because of the costs associated with the process. There is a significant fee to join ABA. Remember that all costs are passed down to students through higher tuition.

Q: What Our Paralegal Students Learn?

A: The curriculum is designed to teach the student both substantive knowledge and practical application skills in paralegal studies. Competency-based learning includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Drafting and constructing legal documents

• A thorough understanding of the litigation process

• An understanding of the California Civil Code and California Code of Civil Procedure

• Basic legal research

• Memorandum and legal brief writing skills

• Calendaring and legal document management and file organization

• Client intake and evaluation

• Legal analysis, and critical thinking

Our Program offers between 30-34 different legal subjects – what we call modules.

Q: What do Paralegals do?

A: National surveys indicate the following duties most common among this profession:

• Conduct client interviews and intake

• Perform manual and online legal research

• Investigate facts and background checks

• Draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings

• Manage litigation-related calendars (pre, trial and post trial)

• Attend and summarize depositions, court hearings, trials and/or administrative hearings

• Coordinate and facilitate tasks with legal vendors, court personnel and other attorneys

• Conduct communication with clients and legal team members/colleagues

• Perform administrative duties associated with client caseloads

• Applying computer proficiencies in terms of word processing, database and software systems

Q: Is there an Externship requirement? If so, what is it?

• Experience
• Training
• Geographic location
• Type of employment
• Law firm’s stability and income stream

• It’s important to obtain quality training and credentials. While employers will usually train, but they want you to have a solid and strong foundation. Los Angeles Valley College is so highly respected that we often get law firms wanting our graduates without wanting to look past our program for candidates.
• After that, be patient, work hard and do your best. Grow to become an honest, knowledgeable and proud Paralegal. Good performance and experience will add up as powerful assets over time.

The chart for this savings is outlined below:

For Classes that begin in March

For Classes that begin in September or October