Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Dunwoody Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Dunwoody GA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Dunwoody GA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Dunwoody GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Dunwoody GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must 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 as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Dunwoody GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select 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 call several Dunwoody GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Dunwoody GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out 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 sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Dunwoody GA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Dunwoody GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Dunwoody GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Dunwoody
Enroll in the Best Dunwoody Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal certificate school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Dunwoody residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Dunwoody Georgia.
Dunwoody Paralegal Programs | Dunwoody Paralegal Certificate Programs