Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Saint Petersburg Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Saint Petersburg FL and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? Some 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 lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Saint Petersburg FL lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour 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 code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give 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 truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects 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 just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous 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. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal 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 programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Saint Petersburg FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know 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 as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Saint Petersburg FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Saint Petersburg 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 Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Saint Petersburg FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Saint Petersburg FL area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Saint Petersburg FL. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening 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 program you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Saint Petersburg
Choose the Right Saint Petersburg Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Saint Petersburg home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Saint Petersburg Florida.
Saint Petersburg Paralegal Degrees | Saint Petersburg Paralegal Courses