Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Roswell Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Roswell GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
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 requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Roswell GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue 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 career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Roswell GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Roswell GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Roswell GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few 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 though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Roswell GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Roswell GA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Roswell GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Roswell GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Roswell
Enroll in the Right Roswell Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Roswell residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Roswell Georgia.