Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Moody Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Moody AL and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. Later on 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 before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Moody AL attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing 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 other 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 provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Moody AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Moody AL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, 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 academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Moody AL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Moody AL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Moody AL law offices that you may have an interest 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 ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Moody AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Moody AL area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Moody AL. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Moody AL, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Moody
Enroll in the Right Moody Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Moody home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Moody Alabama.
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