Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best 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 choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account too. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Martinez GA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing 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 documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly 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 cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Martinez GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Martinez GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Martinez GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Martinez GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program'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 new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Martinez GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor 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 offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Martinez GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Martinez GA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Martinez GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Martinez GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Martinez
Enroll in the Best Martinez Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Martinez home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Martinez Georgia.
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