Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Plantation Florida
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Plantation FL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, 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 essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only 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 category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Plantation FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Plantation FL is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Plantation FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Plantation FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Plantation FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Plantation FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Plantation FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Plantation FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Plantation FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Plantation FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Plantation
Enroll in the Best Plantation Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Plantation residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact 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 greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Plantation Florida.
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