Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Weirton West Virginia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Weirton WV, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Weirton WV lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as 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. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients 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 educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Weirton WV is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal 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. A few of the highly respected 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Weirton WV searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Weirton WV area, in addition to 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 add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, 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 schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Weirton WV law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate 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 prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Weirton WV law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Weirton WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent 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 Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Weirton WV region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Weirton WV. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Weirton WV, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Weirton
Choose the Best Weirton Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Weirton residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Weirton West Virginia.
Weirton Paralegal Training | Weirton How To Become A Paralegal