Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Lakewood Park Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lakewood Park FL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Lakewood Park FL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated 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 action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Lakewood Park FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want 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 boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss 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 paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Lakewood Park FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lakewood Park FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Lakewood Park FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special 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. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Lakewood Park FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if 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 give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Lakewood Park FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs 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 provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through 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, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Lakewood Park FL region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lakewood Park FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Lakewood Park FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Lakewood Park
Enroll in the Right Lakewood Park Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree 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 choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lakewood Park home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Lakewood Park Florida.
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