Education

Education is an extremely important component of a paralegal's career.

Georgia has several ABA-approved schools, including Athens Technical College, Atlanta Technical College, Clayton State University, Georgia Piedmont Technical College f/k/a DeKalb Technical College (Covington and Clarkston Campus locations), Georgia Gwinnett College, Herzing University Atlanta, South University - Savannah, and University of North Georgia f/k/a Gainesville State College. 

ABA link for more information on its approved programs:

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/

There are also well known universities with paralegal programs, such as Emory University and University of Georgia.

Other legal studies education may be in the form of Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) needs to be a priority for paralegals in order to keep current with technology trends and to be an asset to legal teams.  A suggested minimum of six to 12 hours per year are easily earned through GAP's education seminars, NFPA webinars or programs, and web offerings from national companies, such as CSC. 

A Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program in Paralegal Studies prepares students for entry-level legal positions by equipping them with foundational legal knowledge and practical skills. These programs typically focus on providing students with the skills needed to assist lawyers in tasks such as legal research, document preparation, and trial preparation. 

Key aspects of CSC programs in Paralegal Studies:

Purpose:  

CSC programs are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for immediate employment in the legal field, often as paralegals or legal assistants.

Curriculum:

The curriculum generally includes courses covering legal research and writing, legal terminology, court procedures, ethical considerations for paralegals, and specific areas of law like civil litigation, tort law, or family law. 

Program Length:  

CSC programs are typically shorter than associate or bachelor's degrees, often requiring less than a year to complete