Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Ormond Beach Florida
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Ormond Beach FL, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Ormond Beach FL lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases 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. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Ormond Beach FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in Ormond Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Ormond Beach FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a respected 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Ormond Beach FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Ormond Beach FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Ormond Beach FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Ormond Beach FL region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Ormond Beach FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Ormond Beach FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Ormond Beach
Choose the Right Ormond Beach Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Ormond Beach residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Ormond Beach Florida.
Ormond Beach Paralegal Certificate | Ormond Beach Paralegal Degrees