Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Fleming Island Florida
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fleming Island FL, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Fleming Island FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including 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 may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Fleming Island FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Fleming Island FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet 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 quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Fleming Island FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if 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 discussed, there are other important issues to consider 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 considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Fleming Island FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special 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 training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Fleming Island FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Fleming Island FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Fleming Island FL area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Fleming Island FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Fleming Island FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Fleming Island
Enroll in the Right Fleming Island Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Fleming Island home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education 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 education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Fleming Island Florida.
Fleming Island Paralegal Studies | Fleming Island Paralegal Schools