Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Martinez Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Martinez GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for 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 necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into account as well. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Martinez GA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Martinez GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained 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 practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for students living in Martinez GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Martinez GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare 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 prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 Martinez GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous 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. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Martinez GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Martinez GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Martinez GA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Martinez GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Martinez GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Martinez
Choose the Right Martinez Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 privacy and comfort of your Martinez home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Martinez Georgia.
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