Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Alpharetta Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Alpharetta GA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, 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 begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, 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 many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Alpharetta GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Alpharetta GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Alpharetta GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 may also receive 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 standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Alpharetta GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Alpharetta GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Alpharetta GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those schools that are within the Alpharetta GA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Alpharetta GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Alpharetta GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Alpharetta
Enroll in the Best Alpharetta Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Alpharetta residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Alpharetta Georgia.
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