Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Right One Near Foley Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Foley AL and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Foley AL is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Foley AL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training 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 organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered 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 include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose 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 education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Foley AL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Foley AL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Foley AL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing 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 good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Foley AL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Foley AL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Foley AL, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Foley
Enroll in the Right Foley Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Foley home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Foley Alabama.