Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Tuscaloosa Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Tuscaloosa AL and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program 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 various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Tuscaloosa AL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Tuscaloosa AL is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover 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 paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for those living in Tuscaloosa AL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional 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 understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Tuscaloosa AL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to consider 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 effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Tuscaloosa AL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Tuscaloosa AL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Tuscaloosa AL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Tuscaloosa AL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, 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 accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Tuscaloosa AL. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Tuscaloosa AL, make sure 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. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Tuscaloosa
Choose the Right Tuscaloosa Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Tuscaloosa residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Tuscaloosa Alabama.
Tuscaloosa Paralegal Certificate Programs | Tuscaloosa Paralegal Certificate