Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Atlanta Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Atlanta GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Atlanta GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Atlanta GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Atlanta GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include 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 covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Atlanta GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Atlanta GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what 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 Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Atlanta GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Atlanta GA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Atlanta GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Atlanta GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Atlanta
Enroll in the Best Atlanta Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Atlanta home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide 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 profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Atlanta Georgia.
Atlanta Paralegal Certificate Programs | Atlanta Paralegal Certificate