Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best 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 selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered also. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Beckley WV lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 begin your career as a legal assistant in Beckley WV is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for students living in Beckley WV looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education 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 organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Beckley WV area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain 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 receive will be of the highest quality, 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 are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Beckley WV law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present 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, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the Beckley WV region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Beckley WV. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend 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 school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Beckley
Choose the Best Beckley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Beckley residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive 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 final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Beckley West Virginia.