Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Alpharetta Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Alpharetta GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest 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. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account also. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the educational options that are available 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 opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Alpharetta GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Alpharetta GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Alpharetta GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Alpharetta GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Alpharetta GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent 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 present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Alpharetta GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Alpharetta GA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Alpharetta GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Alpharetta GA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Alpharetta
Choose the Right Alpharetta Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Alpharetta residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Alpharetta Georgia.