Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Buford Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Buford GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? Many potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest 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 such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold 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 are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Buford GA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform 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 a few of their regular tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Buford GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Buford GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Buford GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Buford GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Buford GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Buford GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish 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 might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Buford GA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Buford GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Buford GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Buford
Choose the Right Buford Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Buford residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Buford Georgia.
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