Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Jacksonville Beach Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Jacksonville Beach FL and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, 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 Jacksonville Beach FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Jacksonville Beach FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Jacksonville Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Jacksonville Beach FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly 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 looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Jacksonville Beach FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Jacksonville Beach FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Jacksonville Beach FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Jacksonville Beach FL area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Jacksonville Beach FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Jacksonville Beach FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Jacksonville Beach
Choose the Right Jacksonville Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Jacksonville Beach home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Jacksonville Beach Florida.
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