Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near North Druid Hills Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near North Druid Hills GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration too. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 start your career as a paralegal in North Druid Hills GA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained 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 practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in North Druid Hills GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the North Druid Hills GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous North Druid Hills GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several North Druid Hills GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the North Druid Hills GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the North Druid Hills GA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in North Druid Hills GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near North Druid Hills GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in North Druid Hills
Enroll in the Best North Druid Hills Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your North Druid Hills home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in North Druid Hills Georgia.
North Druid Hills Paralegal Studies | North Druid Hills Paralegal Schools