Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Decatur Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Decatur GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered as well. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Decatur GA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn 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 substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Decatur GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure 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 formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Decatur GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 already covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Decatur GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Decatur GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Decatur GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Decatur GA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Decatur GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous 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 Decatur GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Decatur
Choose the Right Decatur Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Decatur home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Decatur Georgia.