Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Richmond Hill Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Richmond Hill GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within commuting 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 choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Richmond Hill GA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training 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 educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Richmond Hill 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 expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Richmond Hill GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education 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 example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Richmond Hill GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if 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 looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Richmond Hill GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Richmond Hill GA law offices 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 among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Richmond Hill GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose 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 area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Richmond Hill GA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, 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 obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Richmond Hill GA. Naturally if you decide 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? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Richmond Hill GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Richmond Hill
Enroll in the Right Richmond Hill Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Richmond Hill residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types 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 career. Given that there is a wide 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 elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Richmond Hill Georgia.
Richmond Hill Paralegal Certificate | Richmond Hill Paralegal Degrees