Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Huntington West Virginia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Huntington WV and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, 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 like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be considered also. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Huntington WV is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish 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, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Huntington WV searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Huntington WV area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 previously covered, there are other significant issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Huntington WV law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
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 new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Huntington WV law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Huntington WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Huntington WV region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Huntington WV. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Huntington WV, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Huntington
Enroll in the Right Huntington Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying 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 comfort and privacy of your Huntington home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Huntington West Virginia.
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