Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Saint Petersburg Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Saint Petersburg FL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered as well. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Saint Petersburg FL lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Saint Petersburg FL is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 discuss 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Saint Petersburg FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Saint Petersburg FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Saint Petersburg 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? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Saint Petersburg FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Saint Petersburg FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain 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 reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Saint Petersburg FL region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Saint Petersburg FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Saint Petersburg FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Saint Petersburg
Choose the Right Saint Petersburg Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Saint Petersburg home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Saint Petersburg Florida.
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