Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Palm Beach Gardens FL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into account too. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Palm Beach Gardens FL attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist 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 perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education 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 means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Palm Beach Gardens FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish 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 offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Palm Beach Gardens FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Palm Beach Gardens FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Palm Beach Gardens FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants 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? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Palm Beach Gardens FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Palm Beach Gardens FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Palm Beach Gardens FL area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Palm Beach Gardens FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Palm Beach Gardens FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Palm Beach Gardens
Enroll in the Right Palm Beach Gardens Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Palm Beach Gardens home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Palm Beach Gardens Florida.
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