Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Lakeland Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lakeland FL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Many potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Lakeland FL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Lakeland FL is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Lakeland FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary 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 cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lakeland FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive 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 receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Lakeland FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Lakeland FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Lakeland FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Lakeland FL area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary 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 education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Lakeland FL. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Lakeland FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lakeland
Choose the Best Lakeland Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Lakeland residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Lakeland Florida.