Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near North Druid Hills Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near North Druid Hills GA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable 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 such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered as well. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in North Druid Hills GA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in North Druid Hills GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the North Druid Hills GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to consider 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 investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many North Druid Hills GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some North Druid Hills GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the North Druid Hills GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within the North Druid Hills GA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in North Druid Hills GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near North Druid Hills GA, make certain 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 provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in North Druid Hills
Choose the Best North Druid Hills Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your North Druid Hills home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in North Druid Hills Georgia.
North Druid Hills Paralegal Certificate | North Druid Hills Paralegal Degrees