Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Sherwood Arkansas
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sherwood AR, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, 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 school must be taken into account also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly 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 for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Sherwood AR lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume 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 arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Sherwood AR is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arkansas to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Sherwood AR looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Sherwood AR area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Sherwood AR law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Sherwood AR law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Sherwood AR legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arkansas legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Arkansas or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Sherwood AR region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Sherwood AR. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Sherwood AR, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Sherwood
Enroll in the Best Sherwood Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Sherwood home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Sherwood Arkansas.