Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Birmingham Alabama

Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Birmingham AL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered also. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Birmingham AL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks might involve:

• Researching and fact checking cases
• Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
• Composing correspondence and legal documents
• Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
• Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
• Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records

With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.

Paralegal Education and Certification

As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Birmingham AL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.

Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees

Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Birmingham AL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example 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 could be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Paralegal Colleges

Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Birmingham AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to 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 many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.

Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 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 establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Birmingham AL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.

What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Birmingham AL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.

Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Birmingham AL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Birmingham AL region.

How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Birmingham AL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.

Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Birmingham AL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Birmingham

Enroll in the Right Birmingham Paralegal Studies School

Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward 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 Birmingham home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Birmingham Alabama.

 

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