Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Auburndale Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Auburndale FL and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Auburndale FL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Auburndale FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good option for those living in Auburndale FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Auburndale FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Auburndale FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Auburndale FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Auburndale FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success 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 highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Auburndale FL region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Auburndale FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Auburndale FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Auburndale
Enroll in the Best Auburndale Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is a crucial 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 on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Auburndale residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several 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 selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Auburndale Florida.