Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near East Point Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near East Point GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist East Point GA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually 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 means to launch your career as a legal assistant in East Point GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in East Point GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the East Point GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization 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 focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many East Point GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several East Point GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the East Point GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out 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 substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the East Point GA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in East Point GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near East Point GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in East Point
Choose the Best East Point Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your East Point residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, 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 career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in East Point Georgia.