Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Clearwater Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Clearwater FL and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Clearwater FL lawyers with a wide range 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 work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare 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 involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Clearwater FL is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Clearwater FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee 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 respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Clearwater FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Clearwater FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research 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 prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Clearwater FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Clearwater FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs 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 great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish 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, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Clearwater FL region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Clearwater FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Clearwater FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Clearwater
Choose the Right Clearwater Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Clearwater residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community 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 profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Clearwater Florida.