Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Thomasville Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Thomasville GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Thomasville GA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Thomasville GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Thomasville GA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Thomasville GA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Thomasville GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Thomasville GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Thomasville GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Thomasville GA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Thomasville GA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Thomasville GA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Thomasville
Choose the Best Thomasville Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Thomasville residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Thomasville Georgia.
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