Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Selma Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Selma AL and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available 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 enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right 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 should be taken into account as well. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially 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 are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Selma AL lawyers with a diverse array 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 practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Selma AL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits 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 Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Selma AL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Selma AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Selma AL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Selma AL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Selma AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Selma AL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Selma AL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Selma AL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Selma
Choose the Right Selma Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Selma home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Selma Alabama.