Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Benton Arkansas
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Benton AR, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Benton AR lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay 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 complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Benton AR is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Benton AR looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example 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 might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Benton AR area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Benton AR law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Benton AR law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Benton AR legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Arkansas or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps 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, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Benton AR area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Benton AR. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Benton AR, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Benton
Enroll in the Best Benton Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Benton residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Benton Arkansas.
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