Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select 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 satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration also. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Palmetto FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including 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 firm may assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly 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 handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Palmetto 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 provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 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 Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Palmetto FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Palmetto FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate 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 prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Palmetto FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Palmetto FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Palmetto FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Palmetto FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palmetto FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have 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 choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Palmetto
Enroll in the Best Palmetto Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Palmetto home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Palmetto Florida.