Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Teays Valley West Virginia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Teays Valley WV and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, 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 such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered too. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Teays Valley WV attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly 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 handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Teays Valley WV is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require 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, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in Teays Valley WV searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Teays Valley WV area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation 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 effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Teays Valley WV law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Teays Valley WV law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Teays Valley WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Teays Valley WV region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Teays Valley WV. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Teays Valley WV, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Teays Valley
Enroll in the Best Teays Valley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Teays Valley residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact 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 irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Teays Valley West Virginia.
Teays Valley Paralegal Degrees | Teays Valley Paralegal Courses