Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Bonita Springs Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Bonita Springs FL and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive 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 increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, 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 vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Bonita Springs FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Bonita Springs FL is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Bonita Springs FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Bonita Springs FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Bonita Springs FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Bonita Springs FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer 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 creating contacts within the Bonita Springs FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Bonita Springs FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Bonita Springs FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Bonita Springs FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bonita Springs
Choose the Right Bonita Springs Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Bonita Springs residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Bonita Springs Florida.
Bonita Springs Paralegal Certificate Online | Bonita Springs Paralegal Studies