Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Georgetown Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Georgetown GA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Georgetown GA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Georgetown GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue 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 employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for students living in Georgetown GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Georgetown GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Georgetown GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible 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 specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick 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 a few Georgetown GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Georgetown GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Georgetown GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Georgetown GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Georgetown GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Georgetown
Choose the Right Georgetown Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Georgetown home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Georgetown Georgia.