Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Fairburn Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Fairburn GA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Fairburn GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize 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 program (we will address 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 paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Fairburn GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training 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 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 certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Fairburn GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Fairburn GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Fairburn GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Fairburn GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Fairburn GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Fairburn GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Fairburn GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fairburn
Choose the Right Fairburn Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is an essential 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 Fairburn residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and 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 prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fairburn Georgia.