Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Hot Springs National Park Arkansas
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Hot Springs National Park AR and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Hot Springs National Park AR attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as 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. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand 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 number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Hot Springs National Park AR is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Hot Springs National Park AR looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Hot Springs National Park AR area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Hot Springs National Park AR law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Hot Springs National Park AR law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Hot Springs National Park AR legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable 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's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Arkansas or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Hot Springs National Park AR area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Hot Springs National Park AR. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Hot Springs National Park AR, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Hot Springs National Park
Choose the Right Hot Springs National Park Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital 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 comfort and privacy of your Hot Springs National Park residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Hot Springs National Park Arkansas.
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