Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Loganville Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Loganville GA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Loganville GA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Loganville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Loganville GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Loganville GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, including 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 ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Loganville GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select 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 Loganville GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Loganville GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Loganville GA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Loganville GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Loganville GA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Loganville
Enroll in the Best Loganville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Loganville residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Loganville Georgia.
Loganville Paralegal Certificate | Loganville Paralegal Degrees