Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Peachtree Corners Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Peachtree Corners GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? A number of prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Peachtree Corners GA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Peachtree Corners GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Peachtree Corners GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now 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 so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Peachtree Corners GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 already discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to 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 focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Peachtree Corners GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Peachtree Corners GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Peachtree Corners GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Peachtree Corners GA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Peachtree Corners GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Peachtree Corners GA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Peachtree Corners
Enroll in the Right Peachtree Corners Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal training program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Peachtree Corners residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Peachtree Corners Georgia.
Peachtree Corners Paralegal Certificate Programs | Peachtree Corners Paralegal Certificate