Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Palm Springs Florida
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Palm Springs FL, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Palm Springs FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, 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 confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Palm Springs FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies in the profession 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Palm Springs FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Palm Springs FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, for instance 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 investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable 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 learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Palm Springs FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Palm Springs FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Palm Springs FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Palm Springs FL region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palm Springs FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Palm Springs FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Palm Springs
Enroll in the Right Palm Springs Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Palm Springs residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education 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 right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Palm Springs Florida.
Palm Springs Paralegal Studies | Palm Springs Paralegal Schools