Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Fairhope Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Fairhope AL and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just 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 help Fairhope AL lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Fairhope AL is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive 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 also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Fairhope AL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Fairhope AL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn 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 most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Fairhope AL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Fairhope AL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Fairhope AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Fairhope AL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Fairhope AL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Fairhope AL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Fairhope
Enroll in the Right Fairhope Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Fairhope residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fairhope Alabama.