Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Parkersburg West Virginia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Parkersburg WV, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Parkersburg WV lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Parkersburg WV is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Parkersburg WV looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater 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 looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Parkersburg WV area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Parkersburg WV law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose 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 several Parkersburg WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Parkersburg WV legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in West Virginia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Parkersburg WV region.
How Much is the Complete 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 cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Parkersburg WV. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Parkersburg WV, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Parkersburg
Enroll in the Best Parkersburg Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate program is an important 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 at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Parkersburg home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various types 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 program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Parkersburg West Virginia.
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