Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Right One Near Prattville Alabama
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Prattville AL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Prattville AL lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Prattville AL is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 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 may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (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.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for those living in Prattville AL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Prattville 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 when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 critical issues to consider also, 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 researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Prattville AL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Prattville AL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Prattville AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Prattville AL area.
How Much is the Total Cost? 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 cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Prattville AL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Prattville AL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Prattville
Enroll in the Best Prattville Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Prattville residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating 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 review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Prattville Alabama.
Prattville Paralegal Certificate Online | Prattville Paralegal Studies