Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Villa Rica Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Villa Rica GA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable 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 weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking 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 offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Villa Rica GA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep 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 challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training 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 academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Villa Rica GA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Villa Rica GA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Villa Rica GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Villa Rica GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Villa Rica GA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Villa Rica GA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Villa Rica GA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Villa Rica GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Villa Rica GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Villa Rica
Enroll in the Right Villa Rica Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Villa Rica home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Villa Rica Georgia.
Villa Rica Paralegal Certificate Online | Villa Rica Paralegal Studies