Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Conyers Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Conyers GA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Conyers GA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Conyers GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Conyers GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can 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 obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Conyers GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Conyers GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Conyers GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Conyers GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Conyers GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Conyers GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Conyers GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Conyers
Choose the Right Conyers Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Conyers residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Conyers Georgia.