Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Bentonville Arkansas
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Bentonville AR and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Bentonville AR lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Bentonville AR is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Bentonville AR searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can 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 guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about 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 conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Bentonville AR area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Bentonville AR law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Bentonville AR law practices 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 could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Bentonville AR legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Arkansas or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Bentonville AR region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost 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 minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Bentonville AR. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bentonville AR, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Bentonville
Choose the Right Bentonville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Bentonville residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Bentonville Arkansas.
Bentonville Paralegal Certificate Programs | Bentonville Paralegal Certificate