Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Martinsburg West Virginia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Martinsburg WV and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration too. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Martinsburg WV lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals 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 otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Martinsburg WV is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Martinsburg WV looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Martinsburg WV area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to consider as well, for instance 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 considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 also. Numerous Martinsburg WV law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Martinsburg WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Martinsburg WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in West Virginia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose 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 might want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Martinsburg WV region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Martinsburg WV. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Martinsburg WV, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Martinsburg
Choose the Best Martinsburg Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Martinsburg residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Martinsburg West Virginia.
Martinsburg Paralegal Certificate | Martinsburg Paralegal Degrees