Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Oakland Park Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Oakland Park FL and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions 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 different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Oakland Park FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 way to begin your career as a paralegal in Oakland Park FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Oakland Park FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Oakland Park FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 also. Many Oakland Park FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have 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 services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Oakland Park FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Oakland Park FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Oakland Park FL region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Oakland Park FL. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue 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 certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Oakland Park
Enroll in the Best Oakland Park Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Oakland Park residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Oakland Park Florida.
Oakland Park Paralegal Schools | Oakland Park Paralegal Training