Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Dunedin Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Dunedin FL and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Dunedin FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep 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 complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Dunedin FL is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 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 initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for those living in Dunedin FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools 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 sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Dunedin FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation 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 properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Dunedin FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid 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 legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Dunedin FL law offices 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 could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Dunedin FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Dunedin FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Dunedin FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Dunedin FL, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Dunedin
Choose the Right Dunedin Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Dunedin home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school 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 schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Dunedin Florida.