Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Saint Simons Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Saint Simons GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Many prospective 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. However, a school is not always the right choice simply 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 ought to be considered also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably 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 begin your career as a paralegal in Saint Simons GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Saint Simons GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater 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 school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Saint Simons GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Saint Simons GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Saint Simons GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Saint Simons GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing 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 sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Saint Simons GA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. 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 offset some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Saint Simons GA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Saint Simons GA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Saint Simons
Enroll in the Right Saint Simons Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Saint Simons home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Saint Simons Georgia.
Saint Simons Paralegal Studies | Saint Simons Paralegal Schools