Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Lake Worth Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lake Worth FL and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered too. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Lake Worth FL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files 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 carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. 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 on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Lake Worth FL is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Lake Worth FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lake Worth FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, 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 standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Lake Worth FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Lake Worth FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Lake Worth FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Lake Worth FL area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Lake Worth FL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Lake Worth FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Lake Worth
Choose the Best Lake Worth Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Lake Worth residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lake Worth Florida.
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