Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Charleston West Virginia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Charleston WV, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually 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 way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Charleston WV is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Charleston WV looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items 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 the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Charleston WV area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Charleston WV law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose 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 call a few Charleston WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Charleston WV legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in West Virginia or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Charleston WV area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, 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 assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Charleston WV. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Charleston WV, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Charleston
Choose the Best Charleston Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial 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 on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Charleston home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Charleston West Virginia.
Charleston Paralegal Programs | Charleston Paralegal Certificate Programs