Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Brookhaven Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Brookhaven GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Brookhaven GA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Brookhaven GA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Brookhaven GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Brookhaven GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective 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 critical issues to consider also, including 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 investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Brookhaven GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Brookhaven GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Brookhaven GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Brookhaven GA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Brookhaven GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Brookhaven GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Brookhaven
Enroll in the Right Brookhaven Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal 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 option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Brookhaven residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Brookhaven Georgia.
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