Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Kissimmee Florida
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Kissimmee FL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just 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 Kissimmee FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to 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 practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Kissimmee FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for students living in Kissimmee FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus 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 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 sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Kissimmee FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 important factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Kissimmee FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular 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 an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Kissimmee FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Kissimmee FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Kissimmee FL area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools 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. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Kissimmee FL. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Kissimmee FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Kissimmee
Enroll in the Best Kissimmee Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 comfort and privacy of your Kissimmee residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Kissimmee Florida.
Kissimmee Paralegal Programs | Kissimmee Paralegal Certificate Programs