Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Douglasville Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Douglasville GA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Douglasville GA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for those living in Douglasville GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Douglasville GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate 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 start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Douglasville GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Douglasville GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Douglasville GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success 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 confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the Douglasville GA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, 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 aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Douglasville GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased 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 solely attend night or weekend classes near Douglasville GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Douglasville
Enroll in the Best Douglasville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Douglasville home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, 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 pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Douglasville Georgia.
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