Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near North Fort Myers Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near North Fort Myers FL and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be considered as well. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist North Fort Myers FL lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as 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 could help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in North Fort Myers FL is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in North Fort Myers FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes 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 discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the North Fort Myers FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential 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 critical aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of North Fort Myers FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some North Fort Myers FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the North Fort Myers FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide 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 secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid 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's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. 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 might want to first investigate those schools that are within the North Fort Myers FL area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in North Fort Myers FL. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near North Fort Myers FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire 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 Legal Assistant in North Fort Myers
Choose the Right North Fort Myers Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed 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 North Fort Myers residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in North Fort Myers Florida.
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