Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near College Alaska
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near College AK and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, 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 College AK lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in College AK is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alaska to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in College AK looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more 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 school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the College AK area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several 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 choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of College AK law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some College AK law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the College AK legal field. 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 Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Alaska legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Alaska or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the College AK region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. 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 offset some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in College AK. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near College AK, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in College
Enroll in the Best College Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a crucial 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 at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your College home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, 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 profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in College Alaska.