Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Jacksonville Beach Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Jacksonville Beach FL and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives 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 hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Jacksonville Beach FL attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually 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 means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Jacksonville Beach FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Jacksonville Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about 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 junior and community colleges in the Jacksonville Beach FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to think about as well, 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 schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Jacksonville Beach FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible 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 contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming 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 a few Jacksonville Beach 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Jacksonville Beach FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those schools that are within the Jacksonville Beach FL region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Jacksonville Beach FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Jacksonville Beach FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Jacksonville Beach
Choose the Right Jacksonville Beach Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Jacksonville Beach residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best 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 final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Jacksonville Beach Florida.
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