Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Madison Alabama
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Madison AL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Madison AL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, 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 Madison AL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Madison AL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Madison AL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Madison AL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Madison AL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Madison AL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Madison AL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. 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 part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Madison AL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Madison AL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Madison
Choose the Right Madison Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Madison residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Madison Alabama.