Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Opelika Alabama
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Opelika AL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Opelika AL is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Opelika AL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials 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 guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Opelika AL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential 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 crucial issues to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future 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 typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Opelika AL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Opelika AL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish 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 may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Opelika AL area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Opelika AL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Opelika AL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides 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 How to Become a Paralegal in Opelika
Choose the Best Opelika Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Opelika home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Opelika Alabama.