Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Eagle River Alaska
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Eagle River AK, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. More and more educational options are being offered 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 approach enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, 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 Eagle River AK attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Eagle River AK is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alaska to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Eagle River AK searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Eagle River AK area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Eagle River AK law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick 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 Eagle River AK law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Eagle River AK legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Alaska legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Alaska or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Eagle River AK region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Eagle River AK. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Eagle River AK, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Eagle River
Choose the Best Eagle River Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Eagle River home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Eagle River Alaska.
Eagle River Paralegal Programs | Eagle River Paralegal Certificate Programs