Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Davie Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Davie FL and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold 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 belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Davie FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
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. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Davie FL is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Davie FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Davie FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate 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 already covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Davie FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select 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 call a few Davie FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Davie FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Davie FL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Davie FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Davie FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Davie
Choose the Right Davie Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Davie residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Davie Florida.