Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Jasper Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Jasper AL and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing 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 schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Jasper AL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Jasper AL is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Jasper AL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Jasper AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Jasper AL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn 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 have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Jasper AL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Jasper AL legal field. 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 Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Jasper AL region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Jasper AL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Jasper AL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Jasper
Enroll in the Right Jasper Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Jasper home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Jasper Alabama.