Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Wheeling West Virginia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Wheeling WV, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered also. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Wheeling WV is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 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 initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Wheeling WV searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools 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 quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Wheeling WV area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if 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 crucial aspects to research also, such as 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 investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Wheeling WV law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Wheeling WV law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Wheeling WV legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with West Virginia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Wheeling WV region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Wheeling WV. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Wheeling WV, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Wheeling
Enroll in the Best Wheeling Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Wheeling home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available 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 profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Wheeling West Virginia.