Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Gainesville Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Gainesville GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Gainesville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Gainesville GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more 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 looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Gainesville GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Gainesville GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Gainesville GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Gainesville GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs 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 Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. 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 need to initially consider those schools that are within the Gainesville GA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Gainesville GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting 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 offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Gainesville
Choose the Right Gainesville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Gainesville home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Gainesville Georgia.
Gainesville Paralegal Studies | Gainesville Paralegal Schools