Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Duluth Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Duluth GA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Duluth GA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in Duluth GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Duluth GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Duluth 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 accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Duluth GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Duluth GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Duluth GA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Duluth GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Duluth GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Duluth
Choose the Right Duluth Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree school is an important 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 on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Duluth home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program 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. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Duluth Georgia.
Duluth Paralegal Training | Duluth How To Become A Paralegal