Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Norcross Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Norcross GA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Norcross GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Norcross GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Norcross GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of 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 factors to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable 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 targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Norcross GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Norcross GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Norcross GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to 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 schools that are within the Norcross GA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Norcross GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Norcross GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Norcross
Enroll in the Best Norcross Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Norcross residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Norcross Georgia.