Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Lawrenceville Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lawrenceville GA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Lawrenceville GA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Lawrenceville GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Lawrenceville GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lawrenceville GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Lawrenceville GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Lawrenceville GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Lawrenceville GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running 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 success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within the Lawrenceville GA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Lawrenceville GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lawrenceville GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lawrenceville
Enroll in the Best Lawrenceville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Lawrenceville home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lawrenceville Georgia.
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