Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Peachtree Corners Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Peachtree Corners GA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Peachtree Corners GA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Peachtree Corners GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Peachtree Corners GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Peachtree Corners GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly 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 begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Peachtree Corners GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Peachtree Corners GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Peachtree Corners GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Peachtree Corners GA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Peachtree Corners GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Peachtree Corners GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Peachtree Corners
Enroll in the Right Peachtree Corners Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Peachtree Corners home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Peachtree Corners Georgia.
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