Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Pell City Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Pell City AL and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Pell City AL attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Pell City AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for students living in Pell City AL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized 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 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, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Pell City AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Pell City AL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Pell City AL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Pell City AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal 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 by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Pell City AL region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Pell City AL. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Pell City 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 offers that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Pell City
Enroll in the Right Pell City Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 privacy and comfort of your Pell City home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Pell City Alabama.