Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Phenix City Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Phenix City AL and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered too. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Phenix City AL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly 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 manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Phenix City AL is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want 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 improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Phenix City AL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Phenix City AL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future 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 aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Phenix City AL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Phenix City AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Phenix City AL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Phenix City AL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Phenix City AL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Phenix City
Choose the Best Phenix City Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Phenix City residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Phenix City Alabama.
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