Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Peachtree City Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Peachtree City GA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered too. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Peachtree City GA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Peachtree City GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Peachtree City GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering 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 formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Peachtree City GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Peachtree City GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Peachtree City GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Peachtree City GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large 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? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Peachtree City GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Peachtree City GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Peachtree City GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Peachtree City
Choose the Right Peachtree City Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Peachtree City residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Peachtree City Georgia.
Peachtree City Paralegal Studies | Peachtree City Paralegal Schools