Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Atlantic Beach Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Atlantic Beach FL and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives 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 responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Atlantic Beach FL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Atlantic Beach FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Atlantic Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Atlantic Beach FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many 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 important aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Atlantic Beach FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Atlantic Beach FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Atlantic Beach FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Atlantic Beach FL region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Atlantic Beach FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Atlantic Beach FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Atlantic Beach
Choose the Right Atlantic Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Atlantic Beach residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Atlantic Beach Florida.
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