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Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Alaska is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Alaska to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be a good option for students living in Alaska searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.