Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Edgewater Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Edgewater FL and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered too. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable 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 are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Edgewater FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific 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 trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable 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 have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Edgewater FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Edgewater FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Edgewater FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, 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 training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Edgewater FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Edgewater FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Edgewater FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Edgewater FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Edgewater FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Edgewater FL, verify 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. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Edgewater
Enroll in the Right Edgewater Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Edgewater home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, 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 prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Edgewater Florida.
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