Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Miami Lakes Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Miami Lakes FL and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in 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 fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Miami Lakes FL lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Miami Lakes FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Miami Lakes FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Miami Lakes FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree 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 covered, there are other important aspects to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 targets 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 establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Miami Lakes FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Miami Lakes 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Miami Lakes FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance 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 confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Miami Lakes FL region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Miami Lakes FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Miami Lakes FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Miami Lakes
Choose the Best Miami Lakes Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Miami Lakes residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Miami Lakes Florida.
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