Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Anchorage Alaska
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Anchorage AK, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Anchorage AK is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alaska to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for those living in Anchorage AK looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Anchorage AK area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know 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 as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Anchorage AK law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools 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 an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Anchorage AK law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Anchorage AK legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alaska legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Alaska or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Anchorage AK region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Anchorage AK. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Anchorage AK, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Anchorage
Enroll in the Right Anchorage Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Anchorage residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Anchorage Alaska.