Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Lehigh Acres Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lehigh Acres FL and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Lehigh Acres FL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Lehigh Acres FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Although 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 as well. Some 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for those living in Lehigh Acres FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Lehigh Acres FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to 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 prospective 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 as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Lehigh Acres FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Lehigh Acres FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Lehigh Acres FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Lehigh Acres FL region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Lehigh Acres FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Lehigh Acres FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Lehigh Acres
Choose the Right Lehigh Acres Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Lehigh Acres residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection 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 schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Lehigh Acres Florida.
Lehigh Acres Paralegal Studies | Lehigh Acres Paralegal Schools