Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Clarkston Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Clarkston GA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Clarkston GA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal 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 follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Clarkston GA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Clarkston GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Clarkston GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential 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 critical factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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. Many Clarkston GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Clarkston GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Clarkston GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Clarkston GA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Clarkston GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Clarkston GA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Clarkston
Choose the Best Clarkston Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Clarkston home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, 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 career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Clarkston Georgia.