The American River Paralegal Program and Free Software for Paralegals: A Comprehensive Review
American River Paralegal Program Download Free Software
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal, you may have heard of the American River Paralegal Program. This is a comprehensive and accredited program that prepares students for entry-level positions in the legal field. But did you know that you can also download free software for paralegals to enhance your skills and productivity? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the American River Paralegal Program and how to download free software for paralegals.
American River Paralegal Program download free software
What is the American River Paralegal Program?
The American River Paralegal Program is a legal studies program offered by the American River College, a public community college in Sacramento, California. The program is approved by the American Bar Association and has been preparing students for paralegal careers for over 30 years.
Overview of the program
The program offers an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies, as well as a Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal Studies. The degree requires 60 units of coursework, including 18 units of general education, 18 units of ABA breadth requirements, and 24 units of legal specialty courses. The certificate requires 42 units of coursework, including 18 units of ABA breadth requirements and 24 units of legal specialty courses.
The legal specialty courses cover topics such as civil litigation, contract law, torts and personal injury, legal research and writing, law office management, and more. The courses are designed to provide students with practical paralegal skills and knowledge of substantive law and legal procedures. Students must take at least 10 units of legal specialty coursework in traditional classroom instruction.
The program also offers opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through internships, externships, and volunteer work at local law firms, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. Students can also participate in a monthly expungement workshop that helps individuals with criminal records in California.
Benefits of the program
Some of the benefits of enrolling in the American River Paralegal Program are:
You will receive a high-quality education that meets the standards of the ABA and prepares you for the paralegal profession.
You will learn from experienced faculty who are practicing attorneys or paralegals with expertise in various areas of law.
You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, such as computer labs, online databases, legal software, and a law library.
You will be able to network with other students, alumni, and legal professionals through events, workshops, clubs, and associations.
You will be able to transfer your credits to a four-year institution if you wish to pursue further education.
You will be able to find employment opportunities in various sectors, such as law firms, corporations, government agencies, courts, or non-profit organizations.
Requirements and admission process
To be eligible for admission to the American River Paralegal Program, you must:
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete an online application to the American River College.
Complete an online orientation to the college.
Take an assessment test to determine your placement in English and math courses.
Meet with a counselor to develop an educational plan.
Register for classes online or in person.
To graduate from the program, you must:
Complete all required coursework with a grade of C or better.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Complete at least 12 units at the American River College.
Apply for graduation online or in person.
For more information about the program, you can visit the official website of the American River Paralegal Program or contact the program coordinator at (916) 484-8970 or paralegal@arc.losrios.edu.
How to Download Free Software for Paralegals?
As a paralegal, you may need to use various types of software to perform your tasks efficiently and effectively. Software can help you with legal research, document management, case management, billing, calendaring, and more. However, software can also be expensive and not always affordable for students or entry-level paralegals. Fortunately, there are some free software options that you can download and use for your paralegal work.
Types of free software for paralegals
Some of the types of free software that you can download and use for your paralegal work are:
Legal research software: These are software that allow you to access and search various legal databases, such as statutes, case law, regulations, journals, and more. Some examples of free legal research software are Google Scholar, FindLaw, Justia, and Cornell Legal Information Institute.
Document management software: These are software that allow you to organize, store, edit, and share your legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, letters, forms, and more. Some examples of free document management software are Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and LibreOffice.
Case management software: These are software that allow you to manage your cases and clients, such as tracking deadlines, tasks, appointments, contacts, notes, and more. Some examples of free case management software are Clio, PracticePanther, MyCase, and Zola Suite.
Billing software: These are software that allow you to track your time and expenses, generate invoices and reports, and accept payments from your clients. Some examples of free billing software are FreshBooks, Wave, Invoice Ninja, and Zoho Invoice.
Calendaring software: These are software that allow you to schedule your appointments, meetings, court dates, deadlines, and reminders. Some examples of free calendaring software are Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Calendly, and Doodle.
Sources of free software for paralegals
Some of the sources where you can download free software for paralegals are:
The official websites of the software developers: You can visit the official websites of the software developers and look for their free versions or trials. You can also check their features, reviews, support, and updates.
The online platforms or marketplaces that offer free software: You can visit online platforms or marketplaces that offer free software for various purposes and categories. You can also compare different options and read user feedback. Some examples of online platforms or marketplaces that offer free software are Capterra, Software Advice, G2, and SourceForge.
The blogs or forums that recommend free software: You can visit blogs or forums that recommend free software for paralegals or legal professionals. You can also ask questions, share opinions, and get tips from other users. Some examples of blogs or forums that recommend free software are Paralegal Today, Paralegal Alliance, Reddit Paralegal Community, and Quora Paralegal Topics.
Tips for choosing and using free software for paralegals
Some of the tips that you should follow when choosing and using free software for paralegals are:
Determine your needs and preferences: You should identify what kind of software you need and what features you prefer. You should also consider your budget, device compatibility, security, privacy, and ease of use.
Do your research and comparison: You should do your research and comparison before downloading any software. You should check the credibility, reputation, ratings, reviews, testimonials, and feedback of the software developers and users. You should also compare the features, benefits, limitations, costs, support, and updates of different software options.
Test and evaluate the software: You should test and evaluate the software before using it for your paralegal work. You should check the functionality, performance, reliability, and compatibility of the software. You should also look for any bugs, errors, or issues that may affect your work.
Backup and update the software: You should backup and update the software regularly to prevent any data loss or security breach. You should also follow the terms and conditions of the software developers and respect their intellectual property rights.
Conclusion
The American River Paralegal Program is a great option for anyone who wants to pursue a paralegal career. The program offers a quality education, experienced faculty, modern facilities, and practical opportunities. The program also prepares students for the paralegal profession by providing them with legal skills and knowledge.
One of the skills that paralegals need is the ability to use software for their work. Software can help paralegals with various tasks, such as legal research, document management, case management, billing, and calendaring. However, software can also be costly and not always accessible for students or entry-level paralegals. That is why downloading free software for paralegals can be a good solution.
There are many types of free software that paralegals can download and use for their work. There are also many sources where paralegals can find free software. However, paralegals should be careful when choosing and using free software. They should do their research, comparison, testing, evaluation, backup, and update of the software. They should also respect the rights and obligations of the software developers.
We hope that this article has given you some useful information about the American River Paralegal Program and how to download free software for paralegals. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to complete the American River Paralegal Program?
A: It depends on how many units you take per semester and whether you pursue the degree or the certificate. The degree requires 60 units and the certificate requires 42 units. If you take 12 units per semester, you can complete the degree in five semesters or the certificate in four semesters.
Q: How much does it cost to enroll in the American River Paralegal Program?
A: The tuition fee for California residents is $46 per unit. The tuition fee for non-residents is $353 per unit. There may be additional fees for books, materials, parking, health services, student representation, and student center.
Q: What are the job prospects for graduates of the American River Paralegal Program?
A: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 10% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $52,920 in May 2020.
Q: What are some of the best free software for paralegals?
A: The answer may vary depending on your needs and preferences, but some of the most popular and reputable free software for paralegals are:
TypeName
Legal researchGoogle Scholar
Document managementGoogle Drive
Case managementClio
BillingFreshBooks
CalendaringGoogle Calendar
Q: How can I learn more about the American River Paralegal Program and how to download free software for paralegals?
A: You can visit the official website of the American River Paralegal Program or contact the program coordinator at (916) 484-8970 or paralegal@arc.losrios.edu. You can also visit online platforms or marketplaces that offer free software for paralegals, such as Capterra, Software Advice, G2, and SourceForge. dcd2dc6462