Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Pinellas Park Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pinellas Park FL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Pinellas Park FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Pinellas Park FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining 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 academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Pinellas Park FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to think about 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 programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Pinellas Park FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Pinellas Park FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Pinellas Park FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Pinellas Park FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price 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 books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Pinellas Park FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Pinellas Park FL, make sure classes are available 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, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Pinellas Park
Choose the Right Pinellas Park Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Pinellas Park home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Pinellas Park Florida.
Pinellas Park Paralegal Schools | Pinellas Park Paralegal Training