Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Dalton Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Dalton GA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Dalton GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Dalton GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Dalton GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Dalton GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Dalton GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Dalton GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Dalton GA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Dalton GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Dalton GA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Dalton
Enroll in the Best Dalton Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Dalton residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide 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 school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Dalton Georgia.