Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Middletown Delaware
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Middletown DE and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration also. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Middletown DE attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Middletown DE is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Delaware to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Middletown DE searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Middletown DE area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may 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 standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Middletown DE law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations 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 make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Middletown DE law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Middletown DE legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Delaware legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Delaware or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Middletown DE region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Middletown DE. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Middletown DE, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Middletown
Enroll in the Best Middletown Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Middletown residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Middletown Delaware.
Middletown Paralegal Certificate | Middletown Paralegal Degrees