Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Van Buren Arkansas
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Van Buren AR and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get 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 options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Van Buren AR attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work 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 degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Van Buren AR is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arkansas to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Van Buren AR looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Van Buren AR area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving 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 go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive 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 demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Van Buren AR law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Van Buren AR law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Van Buren AR legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Arkansas or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even 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 require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Van Buren AR area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Van Buren AR. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Van Buren AR, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Van Buren
Enroll in the Right Van Buren Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Van Buren home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Van Buren Arkansas.