Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right 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 secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered as well. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Huntington WV attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Huntington WV is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Huntington WV searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Huntington WV area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Huntington WV law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special 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 training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Huntington WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Huntington WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication 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 sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Huntington WV region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Huntington WV. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Huntington WV, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Huntington
Choose the Right Huntington Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Huntington home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Huntington West Virginia.
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