Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Norcross Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Norcross GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous options? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Norcross GA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Norcross GA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for students living in Norcross GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Norcross GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include 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 already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Norcross GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Norcross GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Norcross GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of 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, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Norcross GA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained 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 supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Norcross GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Norcross GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Norcross
Choose the Best Norcross Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Norcross home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Norcross Georgia.