Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Wheeling West Virginia
Now that 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 find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational choices 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 arguably 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 earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in West Virginia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Wheeling WV looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Wheeling WV area, as well as trade and vocational 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 degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Wheeling WV law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Wheeling WV law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. 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 provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Wheeling WV legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask 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 corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in West Virginia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Wheeling WV region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Wheeling WV. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Wheeling WV, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Wheeling
Choose the Right Wheeling Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Wheeling home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Wheeling West Virginia.