Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Parkersburg West Virginia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Parkersburg WV, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational alternatives 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 educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Parkersburg WV is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Parkersburg WV looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary 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 cover in more 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 thinking about are accredited by a reputable 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 certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Parkersburg WV area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Parkersburg WV law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research 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 rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose 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 Parkersburg WV law practices that you may be interested 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 may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Parkersburg WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in West Virginia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Parkersburg WV region.
What 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 cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Parkersburg WV. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Parkersburg WV, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Parkersburg
Choose the Right Parkersburg Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Parkersburg residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Parkersburg West Virginia.
Parkersburg Paralegal Studies | Parkersburg Paralegal Schools