Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Bear Delaware
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Bear DE, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Bear DE attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, 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 are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more apropos 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 number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Bear DE is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Delaware to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Bear DE searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bear DE area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Bear DE law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Bear DE law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Bear DE legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Delaware legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Delaware or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate 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 work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Bear DE region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Bear DE. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Bear DE, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Bear
Enroll in the Best Bear Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Bear home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Bear Delaware.