Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Right One Near Charleston West Virginia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Charleston WV and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training 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 requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Charleston WV is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though 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. Some 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Charleston WV looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Charleston 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 especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Charleston WV law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select 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 contact several Charleston WV law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Charleston WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with West Virginia 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 among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Charleston WV region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Charleston WV. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Charleston WV, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Charleston
Enroll in the Best Charleston Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Charleston home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Charleston West Virginia.
Charleston Paralegal Certificate | Charleston Paralegal Degrees