Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Pinecrest Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pinecrest FL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Pinecrest FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited 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, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Pinecrest FL is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Pinecrest FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Pinecrest FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Pinecrest FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special 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. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Pinecrest FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what 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 exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Pinecrest FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Pinecrest FL region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Pinecrest FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Pinecrest FL, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Pinecrest
Choose the Best Pinecrest Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Pinecrest home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Pinecrest Florida.