Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Athens Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Athens GA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important 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 exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Athens GA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Athens GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. 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 two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal 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 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 ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Athens GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may 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 education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Athens GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 covered, there are other significant issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over 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 ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to 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 focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Athens GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Athens GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Athens GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those schools that are within the Athens GA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Athens GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Athens GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Athens
Enroll in the Right Athens Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Athens home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Athens Georgia.
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