Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Bear Delaware
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bear DE and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered too. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, 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 separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Bear DE lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay 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 authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Bear DE is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 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. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Delaware to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Bear DE looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater 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 looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Bear DE area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Bear DE law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Bear DE law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Bear DE legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement 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 Delaware legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Delaware or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Bear DE area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. 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 assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Bear DE. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. 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 makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Bear
Enroll in the Right Bear Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Bear home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Bear Delaware.