Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Palmetto Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Palmetto FL and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Palmetto FL attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready 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 complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Palmetto FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Palmetto FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Palmetto FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Palmetto FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. 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 quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Palmetto FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could 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 attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Palmetto FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs 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 most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the Palmetto FL area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, 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 also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Palmetto FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Palmetto FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Palmetto
Choose the Right Palmetto Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Palmetto home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose 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 ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Palmetto Florida.
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