Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Milledgeville Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Milledgeville GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be considered also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Milledgeville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Milledgeville GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Milledgeville GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to consider 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 investigating 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 should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Milledgeville GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Milledgeville GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, 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 remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Milledgeville GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live 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 Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Milledgeville GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Milledgeville GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Milledgeville
Enroll in the Right Milledgeville Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Milledgeville home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Milledgeville Georgia.
Milledgeville Paralegal Degrees | Milledgeville Paralegal Courses