Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Clarkston Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Clarkston GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Clarkston GA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow 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 regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Clarkston GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Clarkston GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Clarkston GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get 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 demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Clarkston GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Clarkston GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Clarkston GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs 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 Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the Clarkston GA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Clarkston GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Clarkston GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select 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.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Clarkston
Choose the Right Clarkston Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies training 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 choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Clarkston home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Clarkston Georgia.