Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Wilmington Island Georgia
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Wilmington Island GA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be considered also. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only 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 Wilmington Island GA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically 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 varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Wilmington Island GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Wilmington Island GA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover 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 thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Wilmington Island GA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Wilmington Island GA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Wilmington Island GA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Wilmington Island GA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Georgia or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Wilmington Island GA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Wilmington Island GA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Wilmington Island GA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Wilmington Island
Choose the Best Wilmington Island Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Wilmington Island home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wilmington Island Georgia.
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