Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Bloomingdale Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Bloomingdale FL and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account also. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically 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 are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Bloomingdale FL lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Bloomingdale FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired 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 earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Bloomingdale FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training 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 reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bloomingdale FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Bloomingdale FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Bloomingdale FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Bloomingdale FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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 highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire 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 may want to initially look at those schools that are within the Bloomingdale FL area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount 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 aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Bloomingdale FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Bloomingdale FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Bloomingdale
Choose the Right Bloomingdale Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Bloomingdale residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Bloomingdale Florida.
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