Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Right One Near Magnolia Arkansas
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Magnolia 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 extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, only 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Magnolia AR attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Magnolia AR is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Magnolia AR looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Magnolia AR area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to research also, including 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 considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Magnolia AR law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program 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 contact a few Magnolia AR law offices 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 among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Magnolia AR legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Arkansas or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Magnolia AR area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Magnolia AR. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Magnolia AR, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Magnolia
Enroll in the Right Magnolia Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Magnolia residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Magnolia Arkansas.