Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Kennesaw Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Kennesaw GA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee 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 options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered too. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
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 fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Kennesaw GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Kennesaw GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain 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 dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Kennesaw GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about 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 programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain 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 standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Kennesaw GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Kennesaw GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Kennesaw GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing 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 great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Kennesaw GA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Kennesaw GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Kennesaw GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Kennesaw
Choose the Right Kennesaw Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Kennesaw residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Kennesaw Georgia.
Kennesaw How To Become A Paralegal | Kennesaw Paralegal Certificate Online