Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Lake Wales Florida
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lake Wales FL, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Lake Wales FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very 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 paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more applicable 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 clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably 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 start your career as a legal assistant in Lake Wales FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired 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 might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Lake Wales FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Lake Wales FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 covered, there are other important aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Lake Wales FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Lake Wales FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Lake Wales FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Lake Wales FL region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Lake Wales FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lake Wales FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lake Wales
Enroll in the Best Lake Wales Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Lake Wales residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school 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 programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lake Wales Florida.
Lake Wales Paralegal Programs | Lake Wales Paralegal Certificate Programs