Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Thomasville Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Thomasville GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Thomasville GA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might 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 attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably 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 paralegal in Thomasville GA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Thomasville GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss 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 school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Thomasville GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Thomasville GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Thomasville GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Thomasville GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Thomasville GA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Thomasville GA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Thomasville GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Thomasville
Enroll in the Best Thomasville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 privacy and comfort of your Thomasville home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Thomasville Georgia.
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