Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Lithia Springs Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Lithia Springs GA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital 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 the academic alternatives 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Lithia Springs GA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish 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 available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Lithia Springs GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, 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 quality. 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 disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Lithia Springs GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn 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 prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency 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 training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Lithia Springs GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Lithia Springs GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Lithia Springs GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates 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 choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Lithia Springs GA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Lithia Springs GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Lithia Springs 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 provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Lithia Springs
Choose the Best Lithia Springs Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Lithia Springs home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lithia Springs Georgia.
Lithia Springs Paralegal Studies | Lithia Springs Paralegal Schools