Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near North Decatur Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near North Decatur GA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in North Decatur GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in North Decatur GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the North Decatur GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of North Decatur GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several North Decatur GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the North Decatur GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the North Decatur GA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in North Decatur GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near North Decatur 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 choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in North Decatur
Enroll in the Best North Decatur Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your North Decatur residence. Paralegal education 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 selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in North Decatur Georgia.
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