Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Beckley West Virginia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Beckley WV, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Beckley WV attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Beckley WV is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six 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 obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for those living in Beckley WV looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Beckley WV area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Beckley WV law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Beckley WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Beckley WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in West Virginia or the state where you want 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 reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Beckley WV area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Beckley WV. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Beckley WV, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Beckley
Enroll in the Right Beckley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Beckley residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed 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 provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Beckley West Virginia.