Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Sandy Springs Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Sandy Springs GA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Sandy Springs GA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Sandy Springs GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Sandy Springs GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Sandy Springs GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Sandy Springs GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Sandy Springs GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Sandy Springs GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Sandy Springs GA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Sandy Springs GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Sandy Springs GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Sandy Springs
Choose the Right Sandy Springs Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Sandy Springs residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Sandy Springs Georgia.
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