Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Lauderdale Lakes Florida
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lauderdale Lakes FL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Lauderdale Lakes FL is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained 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 maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Lauderdale Lakes FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lauderdale Lakes FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Lauderdale Lakes FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Lauderdale Lakes FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. 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 Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Lauderdale Lakes FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Lauderdale Lakes FL area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Lauderdale Lakes FL. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Lauderdale Lakes FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Lauderdale Lakes
Enroll in the Best Lauderdale Lakes Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal degree school is an essential 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Lauderdale Lakes residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lauderdale Lakes Florida.
Lauderdale Lakes Paralegal Programs | Lauderdale Lakes Paralegal Certificate Programs