Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Chamblee Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Chamblee GA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Chamblee GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Chamblee GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, 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 may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Chamblee GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may 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 as well. Numerous Chamblee GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Chamblee GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Chamblee GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing 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 most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Chamblee GA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Chamblee GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Chamblee GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Chamblee
Enroll in the Best Chamblee Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an important first step toward 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Chamblee residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Chamblee Georgia.