Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Saint Simons Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Saint Simons GA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Saint Simons GA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in 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 may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Saint Simons GA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Saint Simons GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Saint Simons GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out 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 previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school 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 some Saint Simons GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when 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 offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Saint Simons GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Saint Simons GA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Saint Simons GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Saint Simons GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Saint Simons
Enroll in the Right Saint Simons Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is a vital 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 at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Saint Simons residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive 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 final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Saint Simons Georgia.
Saint Simons Paralegal Programs | Saint Simons Paralegal Certificate Programs