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 begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Newark DE lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually 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 launch your career as a legal assistant in Newark DE is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Delaware to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Newark DE looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Newark DE area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree 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 previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Newark DE law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, 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 schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training 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 several Newark DE law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Newark DE legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Delaware legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Delaware or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Newark DE area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Newark DE. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Newark DE, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Newark
Choose the Best Newark Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is a vital 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Newark residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including 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 broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Newark Delaware.