Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Perry Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Perry GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Perry GA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Perry GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve 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 many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Perry GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss 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 looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Perry GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 also. Numerous Perry GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Perry GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Perry GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Perry GA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Perry GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Perry GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Perry
Enroll in the Right Perry Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Perry home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Perry Georgia.
Perry Paralegal Certificate Online | Perry Paralegal Studies