Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Citrus Park Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Citrus Park FL and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration as well. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Citrus Park FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Citrus Park FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be a good alternative for those living in Citrus Park FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Citrus Park FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive 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 obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Citrus Park FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Citrus Park FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Citrus Park FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Citrus Park FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Citrus Park FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Citrus Park FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Citrus Park
Choose the Best Citrus Park Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option 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 various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Citrus Park Florida.
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