Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Lawrenceville Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lawrenceville GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on 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 accreditation and the reputation of the school must be considered as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Lawrenceville GA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for individuals living in Lawrenceville GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Lawrenceville 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 when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 school, 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 obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Lawrenceville GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Lawrenceville GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Lawrenceville GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Lawrenceville GA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, 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 may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Lawrenceville GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Lawrenceville GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lawrenceville
Enroll in the Right Lawrenceville Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lawrenceville home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lawrenceville Georgia.
Lawrenceville Paralegal Certificate Programs | Lawrenceville Paralegal Certificate