What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Foley AL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective 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 critical aspects to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Foley AL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying 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 a few Foley AL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Foley AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Foley AL region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Foley AL. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Foley AL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.