Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Douglasville Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Douglasville GA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However 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. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Douglasville GA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Douglasville GA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Douglasville GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Douglasville GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select 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 distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Douglasville GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Douglasville GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide 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 a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Douglasville GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Douglasville GA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Douglasville GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Douglasville GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Douglasville
Enroll in the Right Douglasville Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Douglasville home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Douglasville Georgia.
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