Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near College Park Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near College Park GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just 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, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
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 opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in College Park GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in College Park GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the College Park GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many College Park GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few College Park GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the College Park GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the College Park GA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in College Park GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near College Park GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in College Park
Enroll in the Best College Park Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training school is an essential 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 at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your College Park home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in College Park Georgia.
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