Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Ponte Vedra Beach Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Ponte Vedra Beach FL, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account too. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Ponte Vedra Beach FL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers 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 complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training 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 academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Ponte Vedra Beach FL is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the profession 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Ponte Vedra Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure 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 highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Ponte Vedra Beach FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential 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 issues to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Ponte Vedra Beach FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Ponte Vedra Beach FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what 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 Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Ponte Vedra Beach FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs 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 large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Ponte Vedra Beach FL region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Ponte Vedra Beach FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Ponte Vedra Beach FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Ponte Vedra Beach
Choose the Right Ponte Vedra Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial 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 participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Ponte Vedra Beach residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida.
Ponte Vedra Beach Paralegal Programs | Ponte Vedra Beach Paralegal Certificate Programs