Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Smyrna Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Smyrna GA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Smyrna GA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Smyrna GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often 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 online programs are accredited, which we will address 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 certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Smyrna GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Smyrna GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Smyrna GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Smyrna 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 Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Smyrna GA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Smyrna GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Smyrna GA, verify classes are offered 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. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Smyrna
Choose the Best Smyrna Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Smyrna residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school 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. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Smyrna Georgia.
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