Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near College Park Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near College Park GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in College Park GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in College Park GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the College Park GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of College Park GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few College Park GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the College Park GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the College Park GA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in College Park GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as 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 solely attend weekend or evening classes near College Park GA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in College Park
Choose the Right College Park Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your College Park home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in College Park Georgia.
College Park Paralegal Programs | College Park Paralegal Certificate Programs