Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Calhoun Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Calhoun GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more 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 just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration also. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Calhoun GA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Calhoun GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Calhoun GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Calhoun GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Calhoun GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Calhoun GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Calhoun GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Calhoun GA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Calhoun GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Calhoun GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Calhoun
Choose the Best Calhoun Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Calhoun residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Calhoun Georgia.