Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Americus Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Americus GA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Americus GA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially 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 way to start your career as a legal assistant in Americus GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Americus GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Americus GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree 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 previously covered, there are other significant issues to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Americus GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose 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 contact a few Americus GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Americus GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Americus GA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Americus GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Americus GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Americus
Enroll in the Best Americus Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal training school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Americus home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive 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 selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Americus Georgia.