Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Augusta Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Augusta GA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered also. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the academic 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Augusta GA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Augusta GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Augusta GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Augusta GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Augusta GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School 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 means for students to begin creating contacts within the Augusta 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 upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Augusta GA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Augusta GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Augusta GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Augusta
Enroll in the Right Augusta Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 Augusta home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Augusta Georgia.