Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Alpharetta Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Alpharetta GA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered as well. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Alpharetta GA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Alpharetta GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet 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 sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Alpharetta GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Alpharetta GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate 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 rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Alpharetta GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Alpharetta GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Alpharetta GA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Alpharetta GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Alpharetta GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Alpharetta
Enroll in the Best Alpharetta Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 Alpharetta home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Alpharetta Georgia.
Alpharetta Paralegal Certificate Programs | Alpharetta Paralegal Certificate