Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Decatur Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Decatur AL and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Decatur AL is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the field 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Decatur AL looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Decatur AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate 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 potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Decatur AL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Decatur AL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Decatur AL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Decatur AL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Decatur AL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Decatur 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 offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Decatur
Choose the Right Decatur Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Decatur home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Decatur Alabama.