Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Irondale Alabama
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Irondale AL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Irondale AL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. 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 clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Irondale AL is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Irondale AL looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Irondale AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Irondale AL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Irondale AL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Irondale AL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Irondale AL area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Irondale AL. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Irondale 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 enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Irondale
Choose the Right Irondale Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Irondale home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Irondale Alabama.