Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Valdosta Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Valdosta GA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account too. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Valdosta GA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very 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 action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Valdosta GA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations in the profession 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 advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Valdosta GA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover 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 sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Valdosta GA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Valdosta GA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Valdosta GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Valdosta GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Georgia or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Valdosta GA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Valdosta GA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Valdosta GA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Valdosta
Choose the Best Valdosta Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward 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 Valdosta home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Valdosta Georgia.
Valdosta Paralegal Certificate Programs | Valdosta Paralegal Certificate