Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right 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 career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable 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 belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Bentonville AR lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand 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 clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Bentonville AR is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Bentonville AR searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Bentonville AR area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Bentonville AR law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Bentonville AR law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Bentonville AR legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Arkansas or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those schools that are within the Bentonville AR area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Bentonville AR. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Bentonville AR, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bentonville
Enroll in the Right Bentonville Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bentonville Arkansas.
Bentonville Paralegal Degrees | Bentonville Paralegal Courses