Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Fairburn Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fairburn GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Fairburn GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Fairburn GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Fairburn GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Fairburn GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually 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 looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Fairburn GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Fairburn GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement 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 in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Fairburn GA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Fairburn GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Fairburn GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Fairburn
Enroll in the Right Fairburn Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate school is a crucial 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 at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Fairburn home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Fairburn Georgia.