Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Royal Palm Beach Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Royal Palm Beach FL and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, just 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 Royal Palm Beach FL lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more applicable 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 have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Royal Palm Beach FL is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose 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 boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Royal Palm Beach FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Royal Palm Beach FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization 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 education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Royal Palm Beach FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific 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 training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Royal Palm Beach FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Royal Palm Beach FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Royal Palm Beach FL region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Royal Palm Beach FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Royal Palm Beach FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Royal Palm Beach
Enroll in the Right Royal Palm Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Royal Palm Beach home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Royal Palm Beach Florida.
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