Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Acworth Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Acworth GA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Some potential students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration too. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Acworth GA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Acworth GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Acworth GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Acworth GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Acworth GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Acworth GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Acworth GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Acworth GA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Acworth GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Acworth GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Acworth
Enroll in the Right Acworth Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Acworth residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Acworth Georgia.
Acworth Paralegal Certificate Programs | Acworth Paralegal Certificate