Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Druid Hills Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Druid Hills GA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be considered too. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional options that are available 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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Druid Hills GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Druid Hills GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, 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.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Druid Hills GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can 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 show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Druid Hills GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Druid Hills GA law offices 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 could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Druid Hills GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide 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 probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Druid Hills GA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Druid Hills GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Druid Hills GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Druid Hills
Choose the Right Druid Hills Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Druid Hills home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Druid Hills Georgia.
Druid Hills Paralegal Certificate | Druid Hills Paralegal Degrees