Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Phenix City Alabama
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Phenix City AL, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Phenix City AL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 paralegal in Phenix City AL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career 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 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Phenix City AL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Phenix City AL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Phenix City AL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Phenix City AL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Phenix City AL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? 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 schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Phenix City AL region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. 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 as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Phenix City AL. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Phenix City AL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Phenix City
Choose the Right Phenix City Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is an essential 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 on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Phenix City residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Phenix City Alabama.
Phenix City Paralegal Certificate Programs | Phenix City Paralegal Certificate