Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Dothan Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Dothan AL and start your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Dothan AL is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 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 paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Dothan AL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Dothan 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 when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Dothan AL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Dothan AL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Dothan AL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance 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 students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Dothan AL region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Dothan AL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Dothan AL, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Dothan
Enroll in the Right Dothan Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a vital 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 at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Dothan home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Dothan Alabama.