Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Bessemer Alabama
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Bessemer AL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Bessemer AL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Bessemer AL is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Bessemer AL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Bessemer AL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn 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 also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Bessemer AL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Bessemer AL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Bessemer AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the Bessemer AL area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Bessemer AL. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bessemer AL, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Bessemer
Enroll in the Best Bessemer Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Bessemer residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Bessemer Alabama.