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)
Spotlight Schools Search
Spotlight Alabama Schools Related to This Career
- Locations: Birmingham, Huntsville
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
- Locations: Bessemer, Madison, Mobile
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate
- Locations: Birmingham
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma
- Locations: Birmingham
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
See these schools on a map
Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career
- Programs: 6 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Master
Keiser University eCampus Online
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
- Locations: Bessemer, Madison, Mobile
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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. |