Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Cutler Bay Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Cutler Bay FL and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, 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 different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Cutler Bay FL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Cutler Bay FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning 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 Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Cutler Bay FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can 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 obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Cutler Bay FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to think about also, including 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 considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Cutler Bay FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Cutler Bay FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Cutler Bay FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, 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 valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Cutler Bay FL area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. 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 may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Cutler Bay FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Cutler Bay FL, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Cutler Bay
Enroll in the Right Cutler Bay Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate 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 choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Cutler Bay residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Cutler Bay Florida.
Cutler Bay Paralegal Certificate | Cutler Bay Paralegal Degrees