Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Roswell Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Roswell GA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same 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 belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Roswell GA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Roswell GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be a good option for students living in Roswell GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Roswell GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Roswell GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Roswell GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, 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 firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Roswell GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want 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 schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even 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 need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Roswell GA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Roswell GA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Roswell 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 makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Roswell
Enroll in the Best Roswell Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important first step toward 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 privacy and comfort of your Roswell residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Roswell Georgia.