Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Dunwoody Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Dunwoody GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be considered too. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices 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 arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Dunwoody GA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Dunwoody GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education 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 disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Dunwoody GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include 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 discussed, there are other important aspects to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Dunwoody GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Dunwoody GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Dunwoody GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous 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 area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. 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 wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Dunwoody GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Dunwoody GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Dunwoody GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Dunwoody
Enroll in the Right Dunwoody Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Dunwoody residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Dunwoody Georgia.