Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Kendale Lakes Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Kendale Lakes FL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially 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 belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Kendale Lakes FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing 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 managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Kendale Lakes FL is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Kendale Lakes FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as 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 schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Kendale Lakes FL area, as well as 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 certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many 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 critical issues to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Kendale Lakes FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Kendale Lakes 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 ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Kendale Lakes FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Kendale Lakes FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Kendale Lakes FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Kendale Lakes 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 choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Kendale Lakes
Enroll in the Right Kendale Lakes Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Kendale Lakes home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Kendale Lakes Florida.
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