Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Douglas Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Douglas GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Douglas GA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay 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. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle 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. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Douglas GA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Douglas GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Douglas GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective 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 crucial aspects to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Douglas GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick 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 a few Douglas GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Douglas GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Douglas GA area.
What 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 expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Douglas GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Douglas GA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Douglas
Enroll in the Right Douglas Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Douglas residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Douglas Georgia.