Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near East Lake Orient Park Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near East Lake Orient Park FL, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered also. Later on 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 decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help East Lake Orient Park FL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 start your career as a legal assistant in East Lake Orient Park FL is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in East Lake Orient Park FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What 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 since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the East Lake Orient Park FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous East Lake Orient Park FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few East Lake Orient Park FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the East Lake Orient Park FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the East Lake Orient Park FL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in East Lake Orient Park FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near East Lake Orient Park FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in East Lake Orient Park
Enroll in the Right East Lake Orient Park Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your East Lake Orient Park residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in East Lake Orient Park Florida.
East Lake Orient Park Paralegal Programs | East Lake Orient Park Paralegal Certificate Programs