Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Snellville Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Snellville GA and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be considered too. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available 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 academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Snellville GA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial 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 prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Snellville GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more 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 school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option 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 begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Snellville GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected 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 online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Snellville GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Snellville GA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Snellville GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those schools that are within the Snellville GA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Snellville GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Snellville GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Snellville
Enroll in the Right Snellville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is an essential first step to guarantee 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 Snellville residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Snellville Georgia.
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