Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Citrus Park Florida
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Citrus Park FL, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Citrus Park FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. 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 practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare 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 quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Citrus Park FL is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Citrus Park FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Citrus Park FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential 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 crucial factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Citrus Park FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Citrus Park FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Citrus Park FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area 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 first consider those schools that are within the Citrus Park FL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, 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 as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Citrus Park FL. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Citrus Park FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Citrus Park
Enroll in the Best Citrus Park Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Citrus Park home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education 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 final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Citrus Park Florida.
Citrus Park Paralegal Studies | Citrus Park Paralegal Schools