Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Decatur Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Decatur GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Decatur GA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for students living in Decatur GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Decatur GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Decatur GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered 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 contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Decatur GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Decatur GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent 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 vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Decatur GA region.
What is the Complete Cost? 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 cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Decatur GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening 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 select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Decatur
Enroll in the Best Decatur Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 Decatur residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Decatur Georgia.
Decatur Paralegal Programs | Decatur Paralegal Certificate Programs