Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Macon Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Macon GA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Macon GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for those living in Macon GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases 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 online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Macon GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Macon GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Macon GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Macon GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial 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 vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Macon GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Macon GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Macon GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Macon
Choose the Best Macon Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Macon residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Macon Georgia.