Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Decatur Alabama
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Decatur AL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of academic options are becoming available 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 with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically 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 begin your career as a legal assistant in Decatur AL is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive 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 as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, 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 may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Decatur AL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Decatur AL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Decatur AL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Decatur AL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Decatur AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. 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 may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Decatur AL area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length 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 aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Decatur AL. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Decatur AL, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Decatur
Choose the Right Decatur Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Decatur residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Decatur Alabama.
Decatur Paralegal Training | Decatur How To Become A Paralegal