Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Brookhaven Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Brookhaven GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Brookhaven GA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Brookhaven GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Brookhaven GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Brookhaven GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of 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 critical factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive 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 show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Brookhaven GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
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 profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Brookhaven GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Brookhaven GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding 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 placement 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 graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. 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 might need to first consider those schools that are within the Brookhaven GA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Brookhaven GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Brookhaven GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Brookhaven
Choose the Right Brookhaven Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is an important 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 on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Brookhaven home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Brookhaven Georgia.
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