Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Alafaya Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Alafaya FL and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly 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 for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Alafaya FL attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents 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 provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Alafaya FL is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida 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 regarded certifying agencies 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 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good option for those living in Alafaya FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Alafaya FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Alafaya FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Alafaya FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Alafaya FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult 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 sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish 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 wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Alafaya FL area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Alafaya FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Alafaya FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Alafaya
Choose the Right Alafaya Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate program is a crucial 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Alafaya home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Alafaya Florida.