Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Newnan Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Newnan GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, 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 begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Newnan GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Newnan GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Newnan GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Newnan GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Newnan GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Newnan GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Newnan GA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Newnan GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Newnan GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Newnan
Enroll in the Best Newnan Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Newnan home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Newnan Georgia.