Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Benton Arkansas
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Benton AR and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Benton AR lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Benton AR is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arkansas to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Benton AR looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum 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 looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Benton AR area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Benton AR law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose 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 some Benton AR law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Benton AR legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Arkansas or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Benton AR region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Benton AR. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Benton AR, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Benton
Choose the Right Benton Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Benton residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Benton Arkansas.