Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Paralegals And Legal Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at John C Calhoun State Community College, Shelton State Community College, Gadsden State Community College, and James H Faulkner State Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider James H Faulkner State Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider John C Calhoun State Community College, Enterprise-Ozark Community College, Bevill State Community College, and Wallace State.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Samford University, Enterprise-Ozark Community College, Shelton State Community College, and Wallace State.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Samford University, James H Faulkner State Community College, Bevill State Community College, and Wallace State.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Samford University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Samford University.
Working as a Paralegal and Legal Assistant in Alabama
Paralegals and legal assistants provide support to lawyers in the course of their work, including conducting research based for on ongoing legal cases, preparing for meetings and court-room sessions, writing documentation, and providing formal assistance in court. Though their job responsibilities may be quite similar to that of a lawyer, they do not enjoy the same authority. Read a detailed job description and schools overview for Paralegals & Legal Assistants.
Paralegals and legal assistants in Alabama can increase their professional knowledge, and network with peers through the Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc.
State Requirements
The State of Alabama does not regulate the practices of paralegals and legal assistants. However, for professional advancement, it is beneficial to pursue voluntary certification. Such certifications are offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants, the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc., and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
Major Industries
Most paralegals and legal assistants in Alabama work for private law firms. The other major industries employing these professionals in the state include:
- Legal Services
- Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing
- Colleges and Universities
- Depository Credit Intermediation
- Emergency and Other Relief Services
- Home Health Care Services
- Insurance Agencies, Brokerages & Support
- Insurance Carriers
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Misc Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
Major Employers
A few major employers of paralegals and legal assistants in Alabama are:
- Auburn University (Colleges and Universities)
- Sci Technology Incorporated (Misc Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers)
- Saads Health Care (Home Health Care Services)
- Protective Life Corporation (Insurance Agencies, Brokerages & Support)
- Pemco Aeroplex Incorporated (Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing)
- New South Federal Savings Bank (Depository Credit Intermediation)
- Regions Financial Corporation (Management of Companies and Enterprises)
- Balch & Bingham LLP (Legal Services)
- Jimmie Hale Mission (Emergency and Other Relief Services)
- Health Spring Of Alabama Incorporated (Insurance Carriers)
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Professional School Of Business • Millburn, AL
Studying (completion in 2007)
• 5/5/2011
"There wasn't anything special. The school accomplished what it had to in preparing me for state testing and licensing."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Its the only one in the area so there's not much choice. If there were, I probably wouldn't because the owner could not be a bigger jerk if he tried! |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I don't know. I don't follow school ratings. It is the only one in the area, so truth be told most people "settle" for it. |
| Program Quality | 5 | It was a regular school. It should've offered more assistance after graduation. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It is State mandated so the school followed the testing requirements. Just the bare minimum was taught; nothing more. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was based on the state requirements, nothing more or nothing less. Books were certainly up-to-date, though. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Not bad. Most programs can be entered into at any given week during the year and you can go days or nights... I think Saturday's as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | There are none. They offer books for sale or software. The classrooms are overly crowded sometimes. As far I saw, there weren't any tutors, but lessons could be retaken within a specified period (usually one year). |
| Social Life | 1 | This is not a “rah rah” college. It is mainly for adults and is considered an evening business school. It's a building with classes and teachers and a reception area, but that's about it. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There is none. The only assistance is a bulletin board which, at best, is pretty outdated. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There is none. The only assistance is a bulletin board. |
UAH • Huntsville, AL
Studying Business (completion in 2011)
• 3/19/2012
"If I could go back I would choose the same school. I just hope that UAH can improve over the years."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | The reason I would not recommend the school for business majors is because it is known mainly for engineering and nursing. It was only average for my career. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school is known for engineering. The Business school is somewhat decent. |
| Program Quality | 5 | My school was very small. I would have liked to attend a larger university that offered more opportunities. |
| Instruction | 5 | I wasn't able to do many things to prepare for my career through the school. I had to search for my own internship opportunities. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The school's academic load was not too difficult for me. I was able to receive very good grades. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was mainly book oriented. However, in some of the science classes, it was more hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | The selection of classes was fairly flexible. I would have liked to see more online classes offered. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | There was nothing special about anything that was offered. A lot could be done to help students more with their future. |
| Social Life | 7 | Social events were fairly enjoyable. I was active in a sorority and participated in campus events. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The school doesn't help out much with job placement. They need much better advisors. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The alumni network never did much compared to larger universities in the state. We could use a stronger alumni network. |
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