Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Beckley West Virginia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Beckley WV, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Beckley WV lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
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. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Beckley WV is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Beckley WV 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 added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary 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 quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Beckley WV area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Beckley WV law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick 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 contact several Beckley WV law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Beckley WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running 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 placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in West Virginia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Beckley WV area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Beckley WV. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Beckley WV, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Beckley
Choose the Right Beckley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Beckley residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Beckley West Virginia.
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