Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Weirton West Virginia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Weirton WV, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other important 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 options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Weirton WV attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically 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 quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Weirton WV is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Weirton WV searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Weirton WV area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Weirton WV law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Weirton WV law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Weirton WV legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent 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's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Weirton WV area.
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 expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Weirton WV. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Weirton WV, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Weirton
Enroll in the Right Weirton Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Weirton residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Weirton West Virginia.