Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Miami Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Miami FL and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Miami FL is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Miami FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools 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 sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Miami FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable 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 online or distance training. 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. Numerous Miami FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Miami FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Miami FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Miami FL area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Miami FL. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Miami FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Miami
Enroll in the Right Miami Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Miami residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Miami Florida.