Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near North Little Rock Arkansas
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near North Little Rock AR and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be considered also. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles 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 help North Little Rock AR attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, 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. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in North Little Rock AR is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arkansas to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in North Little Rock AR searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address 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 certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the North Little Rock AR area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous North Little Rock AR law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few North Little Rock AR law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the North Little Rock AR legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled 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 by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the North Little Rock AR region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in North Little Rock AR. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near North Little Rock AR, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in North Little Rock
Choose the Right North Little Rock Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your North Little Rock home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in North Little Rock Arkansas.
North Little Rock Paralegal Certificate Programs | North Little Rock Paralegal Certificate