Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Suwanee Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Suwanee GA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many options? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Suwanee GA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially 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 start your career as a legal assistant in Suwanee GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Suwanee GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Suwanee 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 especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering 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 select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Suwanee GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Suwanee GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Suwanee GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Suwanee GA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Suwanee GA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Suwanee GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Suwanee
Choose the Best Suwanee Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Suwanee home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training 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 ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Suwanee Georgia.
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