Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Dunwoody Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Dunwoody GA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Dunwoody GA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an 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 hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Dunwoody GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Dunwoody GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Dunwoody GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a respected 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Dunwoody GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Dunwoody GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Dunwoody GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Dunwoody GA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Dunwoody GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Dunwoody GA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Dunwoody
Choose the Right Dunwoody Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Dunwoody residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Dunwoody Georgia.
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