Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Naples Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Naples FL and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. Later on 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 each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, 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 Naples FL attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved 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 proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Naples FL is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 program (we will discuss the benefits 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Naples FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more 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 school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Naples FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Naples FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Naples FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Naples FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the Naples FL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Naples FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Naples FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Naples
Choose the Right Naples Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Naples home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Naples Florida.
Naples How To Become A Paralegal | Naples Paralegal Certificate Online