Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Jacksonville Arkansas
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Jacksonville AR, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. 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 ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically 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 are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Jacksonville AR attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- 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 job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. 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 applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Jacksonville AR is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Jacksonville AR searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Jacksonville AR area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many 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 crucial aspects to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify 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. Many Jacksonville AR law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Jacksonville AR law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Jacksonville AR legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Arkansas or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Jacksonville AR region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Jacksonville AR. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Jacksonville AR, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Jacksonville
Choose the Right Jacksonville Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Jacksonville residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Jacksonville Arkansas.
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