Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Rome Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Rome GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Rome GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in Rome GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training 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 reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Rome GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few 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 Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Rome GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick 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 call several Rome GA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Rome GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high 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 Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Rome GA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Rome GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Rome GA, make sure 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. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Rome
Enroll in the Right Rome Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Rome residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Rome Georgia.