Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Juneau Alaska
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Juneau AK, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Juneau AK is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Alaska to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Juneau AK searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things 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 a minimum 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 looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Juneau AK area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, such as 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 investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Juneau AK law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Juneau AK law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Juneau AK legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Alaska legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Alaska or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Juneau AK region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Juneau AK. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Juneau AK, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Juneau
Choose the Best Juneau Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Juneau residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to 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 broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Juneau Alaska.
Juneau Paralegal Programs | Juneau Paralegal Certificate Programs