Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near North Decatur Georgia

Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near North Decatur GA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive 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 more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.

Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants

Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist North Decatur GA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks can involve:

• Researching and fact checking cases
• Researching applicable cases and laws
• Composing correspondence and legal documents
• Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
• Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
• Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records

With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.

Paralegal Programs 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 quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in North Decatur GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.

Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training

Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in North Decatur GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs

Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the North Decatur GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to think about also, including 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 ultimate choice.

Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many North Decatur GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.

What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some North Decatur GA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.

Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the North Decatur GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the North Decatur GA region.

What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in North Decatur GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.

Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near North Decatur GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in North Decatur

Enroll in the Best North Decatur Paralegal Studies Program

Selecting the best paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your North Decatur residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in North Decatur Georgia.

 

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