Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Mountain Park Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Mountain Park GA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at 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 essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Mountain Park GA lawyers with a diverse array 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 practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Mountain Park GA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the field 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial 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 programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Mountain Park GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could 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 educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Mountain Park GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Mountain Park GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Mountain Park GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Mountain Park GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success 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's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Mountain Park GA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Mountain Park GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Mountain Park GA, make certain 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. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Mountain Park
Enroll in the Right Mountain Park Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Mountain Park home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Mountain Park Georgia.
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