Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Lakewood Park Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Lakewood Park FL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest 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 such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must 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 exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Lakewood Park FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Lakewood Park FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Lakewood Park FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lakewood Park FL area, as well as 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 certificate and degree programs also. 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 crucial aspects to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Lakewood Park FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick 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 a few Lakewood Park FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Lakewood Park FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Lakewood Park FL area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Lakewood Park FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Lakewood Park FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lakewood Park
Choose the Right Lakewood Park Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Lakewood Park home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Lakewood Park Florida.
Lakewood Park Paralegal Certificate Programs | Lakewood Park Paralegal Certificate