Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Oakland Park Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Oakland Park FL and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Oakland Park FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Oakland Park FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most 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. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Oakland Park FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, 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 certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Oakland Park FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Oakland Park FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior 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 a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Oakland Park FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Oakland Park FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Oakland Park FL region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Oakland Park FL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Oakland Park FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Oakland Park
Enroll in the Best Oakland Park Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Oakland Park residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Oakland Park Florida.
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