Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near East Florence Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near East Florence AL and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist East Florence AL lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep 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 they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable 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, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in East Florence AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for students living in East Florence AL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the East Florence AL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of East Florence AL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools 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 caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few East Florence AL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the East Florence AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the East Florence AL region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, 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 as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in East Florence AL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near East Florence AL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in East Florence
Enroll in the Best East Florence Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training school is an essential 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 privacy and comfort of your East Florence home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in East Florence Alabama.
East Florence Paralegal Degrees | East Florence Paralegal Courses