Paralegal Studies Certificate
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 result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration also. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Brookhaven GA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather 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 paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Brookhaven GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Brookhaven GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more 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 school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Brookhaven GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must 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 as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get 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 obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential 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. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Brookhaven GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. 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 Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Brookhaven GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Brookhaven GA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure 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 obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Brookhaven GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Brookhaven GA, make certain classes are available 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, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Brookhaven
Choose the Best Brookhaven Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Brookhaven residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Brookhaven Georgia.
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