Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Ocala Florida
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Ocala FL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be considered as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Ocala FL attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with 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 day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand 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 alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Ocala FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Ocala FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Ocala FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization 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 targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Ocala FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Ocala FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Ocala FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance 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 confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Ocala FL region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Ocala FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Ocala FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Ocala
Enroll in the Right Ocala Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Ocala home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available 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 influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Ocala Florida.