Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Hallandale Beach Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Hallandale Beach FL and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Hallandale Beach FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. 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 clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education 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 job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Hallandale Beach FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Hallandale Beach FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses 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 greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Hallandale Beach FL area, as well as vocational and trade 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 certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few 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 Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Hallandale Beach FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Hallandale Beach FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Hallandale Beach FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Hallandale Beach FL area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Hallandale Beach FL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Hallandale Beach FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Hallandale Beach
Choose the Right Hallandale Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Hallandale Beach home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Hallandale Beach Florida.
Hallandale Beach Paralegal Studies | Hallandale Beach Paralegal Schools