Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Mcdonough Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Mcdonough GA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be considered also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically 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 quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Mcdonough GA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Mcdonough GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Mcdonough GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to 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 the majority of potential 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 critical aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Mcdonough GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Mcdonough GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Mcdonough GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Mcdonough GA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. 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 also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Mcdonough GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Mcdonough GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Mcdonough
Choose the Best Mcdonough Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Mcdonough home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Mcdonough Georgia.