Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Clarkston Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Clarkston GA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential 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 best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account as well. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional options 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Clarkston GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Clarkston GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing 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 formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Clarkston GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 already discussed, there are other important aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating 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 choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Clarkston GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Clarkston GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Clarkston GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Clarkston GA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Clarkston GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Clarkston GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Clarkston
Choose the Best Clarkston Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate program is a vital 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Clarkston residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect 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 school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Clarkston Georgia.