Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Norcross Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Norcross GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into account also. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices that are offered 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. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Norcross GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for students living in Norcross GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Norcross GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Norcross GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Norcross GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Norcross GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent 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 in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Norcross GA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount 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 aid may be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Norcross GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Norcross GA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Norcross
Choose the Best Norcross Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step toward 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Norcross home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Norcross Georgia.
Norcross Paralegal Certificate Programs | Norcross Paralegal Certificate