Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Fort Lauderdale Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Fort Lauderdale FL and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Many potential students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Fort Lauderdale FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Fort Lauderdale FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary 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 discuss in more 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 school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Fort Lauderdale FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Fort Lauderdale FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Fort Lauderdale FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Fort Lauderdale FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success 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 confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Fort Lauderdale FL region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Fort Lauderdale FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only 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 program you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Fort Lauderdale
Enroll in the Right Fort Lauderdale Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal training school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Fort Lauderdale residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Fort Lauderdale Paralegal Courses | Fort Lauderdale Paralegal Programs