Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Fairmont West Virginia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fairmont WV, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into account also. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Fairmont WV is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can 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. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for students living in Fairmont WV searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Fairmont WV area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to research also, 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 final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain 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 hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Fairmont WV law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Fairmont WV legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial 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? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in West Virginia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Fairmont WV area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Fairmont WV. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Fairmont 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 enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fairmont
Choose the Right Fairmont Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Fairmont residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fairmont West Virginia.