Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Fort Smith Arkansas
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fort Smith AR, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Fort Smith AR lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Fort Smith AR is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Fort Smith AR searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Fort Smith AR area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Fort Smith AR law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Fort Smith AR law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Fort Smith AR legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after 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 challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing 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 substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arkansas or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. 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 want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Fort Smith AR area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending 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 add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Fort Smith AR. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Fort Smith AR, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fort Smith
Choose the Best Fort Smith Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree program is an important first step toward 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 participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Fort Smith residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, 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 impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose 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 program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fort Smith Arkansas.
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