Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Lilburn Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lilburn GA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices 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. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Lilburn GA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers 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 complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually 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 legal assistant in Lilburn GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Lilburn GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet 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 school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Lilburn GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Lilburn GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Lilburn GA law practices 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Lilburn GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Lilburn GA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Lilburn GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Lilburn GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lilburn
Choose the Right Lilburn Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed 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 Lilburn home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lilburn Georgia.
Lilburn Paralegal Certificate Programs | Lilburn Paralegal Certificate