Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Johns Creek Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Johns Creek GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration also. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Johns Creek GA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Johns Creek GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages 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.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Johns Creek GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure 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 conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Johns Creek GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized 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 distance or online training. 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 as well. A number of Johns Creek GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? 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 field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Johns Creek GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Johns Creek GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high 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 students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Johns Creek GA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Johns Creek GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Johns Creek GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Johns Creek
Enroll in the Right Johns Creek Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Johns Creek residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, 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 broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Johns Creek Georgia.
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