Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Brookhaven Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Brookhaven GA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
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 job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Brookhaven GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Brookhaven GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Brookhaven GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Brookhaven GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose 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 call several Brookhaven GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Brookhaven GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Brookhaven GA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Brookhaven GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend 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. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Brookhaven
Choose the Best Brookhaven Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step to guarantee 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 comfort and privacy of your Brookhaven home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Brookhaven Georgia.
Brookhaven Paralegal Training | Brookhaven How To Become A Paralegal