Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Covington Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Covington GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, 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 begin? Some potential students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable 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. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Covington GA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
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 prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Covington GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for students living in Covington GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Covington GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Covington GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Covington GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Covington GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Covington GA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Covington GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Covington GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Covington
Choose the Right Covington Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best 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 option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Covington residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Covington Georgia.