Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Hueytown Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Hueytown AL and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Hueytown AL attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, 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. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Hueytown AL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Hueytown AL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Hueytown AL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Hueytown AL law firms will only employ 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 Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Hueytown AL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Hueytown AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable 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? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Hueytown AL region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Hueytown AL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Hueytown AL, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Hueytown
Enroll in the Right Hueytown Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Hueytown residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Hueytown Alabama.
Hueytown Paralegal Programs | Hueytown Paralegal Certificate Programs