Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Gainesville Florida
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Gainesville FL, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be considered as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Gainesville FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable 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 have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs 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 means to start your career as a legal assistant in Gainesville FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish 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 an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Gainesville FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure 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 reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Gainesville 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 when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Gainesville FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Gainesville FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Gainesville FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge 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 Gainesville FL area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Gainesville FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Gainesville FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Gainesville
Enroll in the Right Gainesville Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding 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 Gainesville residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and 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. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education 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 appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Gainesville Florida.
Gainesville Paralegal Certificate | Gainesville Paralegal Degrees