Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Right One Near Duluth Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Duluth GA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Duluth GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Duluth GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Duluth GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Duluth GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Duluth GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which 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 Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Duluth GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Duluth GA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Duluth GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Duluth GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Duluth
Enroll in the Right Duluth Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed 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 offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community 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 career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Duluth Georgia.
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