Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near El Dorado Arkansas
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near El Dorado AR, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist El Dorado AR attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in El Dorado AR is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in El Dorado AR looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as 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 could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the El Dorado AR area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous El Dorado AR law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few El Dorado AR law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the El Dorado AR legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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 graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Arkansas or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those schools that are within the El Dorado AR area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in El Dorado AR. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near El Dorado AR, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in El Dorado
Enroll in the Right El Dorado Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your El Dorado home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in El Dorado Arkansas.
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