Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Kingsland Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Kingsland GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives 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. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles 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 category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Kingsland GA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants 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 volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Kingsland GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee 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 common and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Kingsland GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Kingsland GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, 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 several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Kingsland GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Kingsland GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Kingsland GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after 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 profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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 in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Kingsland GA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Kingsland GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Kingsland GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Kingsland
Enroll in the Right Kingsland Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program 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 at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Kingsland home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different 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 choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Kingsland Georgia.