Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Aventura Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Aventura FL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students begin by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Aventura FL lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Aventura FL is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Aventura FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, 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 obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Aventura FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially 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 begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Aventura FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Aventura FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Aventura FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Aventura FL area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Aventura FL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Aventura FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Aventura
Enroll in the Right Aventura Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Aventura residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Aventura Florida.
Aventura Paralegal Certificate Programs | Aventura Paralegal Certificate