Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Gainesville Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Gainesville GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and functions, only 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Gainesville GA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability 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 actually 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 fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Gainesville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Gainesville GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Gainesville GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Gainesville GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. 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 training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick 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 a few Gainesville GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Gainesville GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Gainesville GA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Gainesville GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Gainesville GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Gainesville
Choose the Right Gainesville Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Gainesville residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including 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 profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Gainesville Georgia.
Gainesville Paralegal Training | Gainesville How To Become A Paralegal