Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Smyrna Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Smyrna GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education 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 academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Smyrna GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Smyrna GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Smyrna GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most 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 important issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation 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 thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, 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 training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Smyrna GA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Smyrna GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Smyrna GA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Smyrna GA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Smyrna GA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Smyrna GA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Smyrna
Choose the Right Smyrna Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Smyrna home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education 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 right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Smyrna Georgia.