Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Pelham Alabama
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pelham AL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into account too. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Pelham AL lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Pelham AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Pelham AL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering 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 formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Pelham AL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly 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 previously discussed, there are other important aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Pelham AL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Pelham AL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what 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 excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Pelham AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Pelham AL area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Pelham AL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Pelham AL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Pelham
Enroll in the Right Pelham Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Pelham residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Pelham Alabama.
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