Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near North Lauderdale Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near North Lauderdale FL and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? A number of potential students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 North Lauderdale FL attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as 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 firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in North Lauderdale FL is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six 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 also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in North Lauderdale FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the North Lauderdale FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, such as 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 considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of North Lauderdale FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few North Lauderdale FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance 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 developing contacts within the North Lauderdale FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the North Lauderdale FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in North Lauderdale FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near North Lauderdale FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in North Lauderdale
Enroll in the Best North Lauderdale Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is an essential first step to guarantee 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 privacy and comfort of your North Lauderdale home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in North Lauderdale Florida.
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