Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Orlando Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Orlando FL and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Orlando FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Orlando FL is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though 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 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Orlando FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items 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 ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Orlando FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Orlando FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Orlando FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Orlando FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly 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 graduating, 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 assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, 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 community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Orlando FL area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. 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 also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Orlando FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Orlando FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Orlando
Enroll in the Best Orlando Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is an important 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Orlando home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Orlando Florida.
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