Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Palmetto Bay Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Palmetto Bay FL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Palmetto Bay FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep 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 rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically 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 fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Palmetto Bay FL is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career 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 school (we will discuss 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 Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Palmetto Bay FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about 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 environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Palmetto Bay FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare 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 covered, there are other crucial factors to research also, including accreditation and the reputation 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 properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Palmetto Bay FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program 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 call a few Palmetto Bay FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Palmetto Bay FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Palmetto Bay FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools 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 education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palmetto Bay FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Palmetto Bay FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Palmetto Bay
Enroll in the Best Palmetto Bay Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Palmetto Bay residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available 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 pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Palmetto Bay Florida.
Palmetto Bay Paralegal Training | Palmetto Bay How To Become A Paralegal