Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Huntington West Virginia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Huntington WV, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the instructional choices 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 arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Huntington WV is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Huntington WV looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing 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 must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential 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 consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Huntington WV law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Huntington WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation 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 Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Huntington WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the Huntington WV area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Huntington WV. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Huntington WV, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Huntington
Choose the Right Huntington Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Huntington home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Huntington West Virginia.