Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Mobile Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Mobile AL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Mobile AL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. 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 confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Mobile AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Mobile AL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example 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 ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Mobile AL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Mobile AL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Mobile AL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Mobile AL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Mobile AL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Mobile AL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Mobile AL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Mobile
Enroll in the Best Mobile Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree 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 option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Mobile home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Mobile Alabama.
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