Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Mableton Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Mableton GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Mableton GA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Mableton GA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Mableton GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Mableton GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Mableton 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 offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Mableton GA law offices 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 among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Mableton GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering 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 substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Mableton GA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Mableton GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Mableton GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Mableton
Choose the Best Mableton Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal degree program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Mableton residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community 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 career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Mableton Georgia.
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