Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Martinsburg West Virginia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Martinsburg WV and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Martinsburg WV lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Martinsburg WV is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Martinsburg WV looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Martinsburg WV area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Martinsburg WV law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered 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 looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Martinsburg WV law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Martinsburg WV legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in West Virginia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire 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 reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Martinsburg WV region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Martinsburg WV. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Martinsburg WV, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Martinsburg
Choose the Right Martinsburg Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 Martinsburg home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education 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 selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Martinsburg West Virginia.
Martinsburg Paralegal Studies | Martinsburg Paralegal Schools