Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Riverdale Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Riverdale GA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Riverdale GA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Riverdale GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for those living in Riverdale GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Riverdale 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 particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree 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 already discussed, there are other significant factors to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Riverdale GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Riverdale GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Riverdale GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing 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 probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the Riverdale GA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount 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 as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Riverdale GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Riverdale GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Riverdale
Enroll in the Right Riverdale Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important 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 at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Riverdale residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Riverdale Georgia.