Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Milledgeville Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Milledgeville GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Milledgeville GA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Milledgeville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work 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 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for those living in Milledgeville GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Milledgeville GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Milledgeville GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Milledgeville GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Milledgeville GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication 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 Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Milledgeville GA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Milledgeville GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Milledgeville GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Milledgeville
Enroll in the Right Milledgeville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 Milledgeville home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, 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. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Milledgeville Georgia.
Milledgeville Paralegal Studies | Milledgeville Paralegal Schools