Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Bainbridge Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bainbridge GA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered too. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Bainbridge GA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Bainbridge GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want 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 improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Bainbridge GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bainbridge GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 crucial aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Bainbridge GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Bainbridge GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Bainbridge GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose 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 first consider those colleges that are within the Bainbridge GA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Bainbridge GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bainbridge GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bainbridge
Enroll in the Best Bainbridge Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Bainbridge home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bainbridge Georgia.
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