Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Brunswick Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Brunswick GA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Brunswick GA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping 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 job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Brunswick GA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages 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.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Brunswick GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Brunswick GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 also. Many Brunswick GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Brunswick GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Brunswick GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good 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 School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain 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 live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Brunswick GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Brunswick GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Brunswick GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Brunswick
Enroll in the Right Brunswick Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Brunswick home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence 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 no matter how you elect to receive 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 final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Brunswick Georgia.
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