Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Right One Near Opelika Alabama
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Opelika AL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Opelika AL is by obtaining a certificate, which may take 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 acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Opelika AL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Opelika AL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Opelika AL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Opelika AL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Opelika AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Opelika AL region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Opelika AL. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Opelika AL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Opelika
Choose the Best Opelika Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is a vital 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 comfort and privacy of your Opelika home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced 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 greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Opelika Alabama.