Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Groveland Florida
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Groveland FL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account as well. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Groveland FL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Groveland FL is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Groveland FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Groveland FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential 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 critical factors to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Groveland FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select 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 call a few Groveland FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Groveland FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Groveland FL region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Groveland FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Groveland FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Groveland
Enroll in the Right Groveland Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Groveland home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Groveland Florida.
Groveland Paralegal Programs | Groveland Paralegal Certificate Programs