Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near North Miami Beach Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near North Miami Beach FL, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist North Miami Beach FL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education 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 requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in North Miami Beach FL is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can 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. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in North Miami Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee 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 disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the North Miami Beach FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 already covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of North Miami Beach FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available 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 field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several North Miami Beach FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the North Miami Beach FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. 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 may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the North Miami Beach FL region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in North Miami Beach FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near North Miami Beach FL, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in North Miami Beach
Enroll in the Best North Miami Beach Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 North Miami Beach home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in North Miami Beach Florida.
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