Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Fort Lauderdale Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fort Lauderdale FL, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest 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. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Fort Lauderdale FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys 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 role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training 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 academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Fort Lauderdale FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in Fort Lauderdale FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Fort Lauderdale FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Fort Lauderdale FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Fort Lauderdale FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Fort Lauderdale FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Fort Lauderdale FL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Fort Lauderdale FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Fort Lauderdale FL, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Fort Lauderdale
Enroll in the Right Fort Lauderdale Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Fort Lauderdale residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact 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 succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Fort Lauderdale Paralegal Certificate Programs | Fort Lauderdale Paralegal Certificate