Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Atlanta Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Atlanta GA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration too. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Atlanta GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal 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. Some 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Atlanta GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee 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 highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Atlanta GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Atlanta GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Atlanta GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Atlanta GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent 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 in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Atlanta GA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Atlanta GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Atlanta GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Atlanta
Choose the Right Atlanta Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Atlanta residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Atlanta Georgia.