Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Fairmont West Virginia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fairmont WV, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. 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 before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Fairmont WV attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Fairmont WV is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, 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 boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Fairmont WV looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance 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 could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Fairmont WV area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Fairmont WV law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Fairmont WV law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Fairmont WV legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid 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 in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. 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 first consider those schools that are within the Fairmont WV region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Fairmont WV. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, 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 just attend night or weekend classes near Fairmont WV, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fairmont
Choose the Best Fairmont Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies training school is a vital 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Fairmont home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Fairmont West Virginia.
Fairmont Paralegal Certificate Programs | Fairmont Paralegal Certificate