Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Newark Delaware
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Newark DE, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration also. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Newark DE attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized 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 applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Newark DE is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 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 degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Delaware to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Newark DE looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Newark DE 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 add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Newark DE law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Newark DE law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Newark DE legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing 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 great relationships with Delaware legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Delaware or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Newark DE region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Newark DE. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Newark DE, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Newark
Enroll in the Right Newark Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best 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 post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Newark residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Newark Delaware.
Newark Paralegal Certificate Programs | Newark Paralegal Certificate