Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Pooler Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pooler GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Pooler GA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Pooler GA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Pooler GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Pooler GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential 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 factors to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training 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 Pooler GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Pooler GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Pooler GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Pooler GA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Pooler GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Pooler GA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Pooler
Choose the Right Pooler Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Pooler residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Pooler Georgia.