Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Saraland Alabama
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Saraland AL, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out 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 right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account as well. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Saraland AL lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume 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 arguably 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 launch your career as a paralegal in Saraland AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (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.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Saraland AL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Saraland AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many 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 critical issues to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Saraland AL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Saraland AL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when 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 a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Saraland AL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign 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 Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Saraland AL area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Saraland AL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Saraland AL, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Saraland
Enroll in the Right Saraland Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Saraland home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Saraland Alabama.
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