Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Holly Springs Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Holly Springs GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account too. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Holly Springs GA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Holly Springs GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Holly Springs GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Holly Springs GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Holly Springs GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Holly Springs GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Holly Springs GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most 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 Holly Springs GA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Holly Springs GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Holly Springs GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Holly Springs
Choose the Right Holly Springs Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Holly Springs residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Holly Springs Georgia.
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