Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Auburndale Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Auburndale FL and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost 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 analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Auburndale FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay 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 quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Auburndale FL is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in Auburndale FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Auburndale FL area, in addition to vocational and trade 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 also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to consider as well, including 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 considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Auburndale FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Auburndale FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Auburndale FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Auburndale FL region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Auburndale FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Auburndale FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Auburndale
Choose the Right Auburndale Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Auburndale residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Auburndale Florida.
Auburndale Paralegal Certificate | Auburndale Paralegal Degrees