Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Lady Lake Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lady Lake FL and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, 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 program ought to be taken into account too. We will address those topics 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 exactly 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 for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Lady Lake FL lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited 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, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lady Lake 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 offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Lady Lake FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater 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 thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Lady Lake FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may 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 education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Lady Lake FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Lady Lake FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Lady Lake FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Lady Lake FL area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lady Lake FL. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Lady Lake FL, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Lady Lake
Choose the Right Lady Lake Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lady Lake residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Lady Lake Florida.