Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Atlanta Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Atlanta GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options 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 same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Atlanta GA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Atlanta GA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Atlanta GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items 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 guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Atlanta GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over 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 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 organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Atlanta GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Atlanta GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in 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 provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Atlanta GA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Atlanta GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Atlanta GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Atlanta
Enroll in the Right Atlanta Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Atlanta residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Atlanta Georgia.
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