Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Paragould Arkansas
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Paragould AR, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered too. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have 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 essentially both hold comparable job roles 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 help Paragould AR lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Paragould AR is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Paragould AR searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Paragould 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 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Paragould AR law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Paragould AR law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Paragould AR legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Arkansas or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the Paragould AR area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained 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 supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Paragould AR. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Paragould AR, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Paragould
Choose the Right Paragould Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Paragould home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice 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, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Paragould Arkansas.
Paragould Paralegal Certificate Online | Paragould Paralegal Studies