Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Newark Delaware
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Newark DE, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly 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 for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Newark DE attorneys with a wide variety 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 practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. 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 confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
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. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Newark DE is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Delaware to work as a paralegal, certification can 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for students living in Newark DE looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Newark DE area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential 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 significant factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with 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. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Newark DE law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Newark DE legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Delaware legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Delaware or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Newark DE area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Newark DE. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Newark DE, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Newark
Enroll in the Right Newark Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Newark residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Newark Delaware.