Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Canton Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Canton GA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Canton GA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Canton GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Canton 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 especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Canton GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Canton GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Canton GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Canton GA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Canton GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Canton GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Canton
Enroll in the Best Canton Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Canton home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Canton Georgia.