Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Newnan Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Newnan GA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting 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. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Newnan GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for those living in Newnan GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee 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 respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options 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, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Newnan GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Newnan GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Newnan GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? 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. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success 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 substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Newnan GA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books 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 consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Newnan GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Newnan GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Newnan
Choose the Best Newnan Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an important 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Newnan residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Newnan Georgia.