Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select 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. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lawrenceville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many 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. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Lawrenceville GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive 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 example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lawrenceville GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose 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 receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Lawrenceville GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn 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 have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Lawrenceville GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Lawrenceville GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools 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 graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Lawrenceville GA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lawrenceville GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Lawrenceville GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lawrenceville
Choose the Best Lawrenceville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate 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 Lawrenceville home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Lawrenceville Georgia.
Lawrenceville Paralegal Schools | Lawrenceville Paralegal Training