Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Beckley West Virginia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Beckley WV, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for 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 very important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Beckley WV is by obtaining a certificate, which may take 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. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Beckley WV searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may 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 training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Beckley WV area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to 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 most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Beckley WV law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Beckley WV law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Beckley WV legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Beckley WV region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Beckley WV. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Beckley WV, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Beckley
Enroll in the Right Beckley Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Beckley residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Beckley West Virginia.