Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Lawrenceville Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lawrenceville GA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Lawrenceville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning 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 Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Lawrenceville GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more 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 school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Lawrenceville GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Lawrenceville GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings 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 rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Lawrenceville GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Lawrenceville GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer 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 probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create 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 want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Lawrenceville GA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Lawrenceville GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lawrenceville GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lawrenceville
Choose the Right Lawrenceville Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Lawrenceville home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lawrenceville Georgia.
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