Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Lakeland Highlands Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Lakeland Highlands FL and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential 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 increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be considered as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lakeland Highlands FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Lakeland Highlands FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain 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, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lakeland Highlands FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 as well. A number of Lakeland Highlands FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Lakeland Highlands FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, 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 establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Lakeland Highlands FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession 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 sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community 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 may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Lakeland Highlands FL region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Lakeland Highlands FL. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Lakeland Highlands FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lakeland Highlands
Enroll in the Best Lakeland Highlands Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lakeland Highlands home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lakeland Highlands Florida.
Lakeland Highlands Paralegal Studies | Lakeland Highlands Paralegal Schools