Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near North Miami Beach Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near North Miami Beach FL and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account too. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist North Miami Beach FL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, 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 functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in North Miami Beach FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in North Miami Beach FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the North Miami Beach FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to consider as well, 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 properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of North Miami Beach FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few North Miami Beach FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the North Miami Beach FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the North Miami Beach FL region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in North Miami Beach FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near North Miami Beach FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in North Miami Beach
Choose the Right North Miami Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your North Miami Beach residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, 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. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in North Miami Beach Florida.
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