Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Tuscaloosa Alabama
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Tuscaloosa AL, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting 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 happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Tuscaloosa AL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex 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 action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Tuscaloosa AL is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alabama to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Tuscaloosa AL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Tuscaloosa AL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Tuscaloosa AL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Tuscaloosa AL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Tuscaloosa AL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alabama legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Alabama or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the Tuscaloosa AL area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Tuscaloosa AL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Tuscaloosa AL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Tuscaloosa
Choose the Best Tuscaloosa Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Tuscaloosa Alabama.