Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near South Bradenton Florida
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near South Bradenton FL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational 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 fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help South Bradenton FL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited 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 have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in South Bradenton FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in South Bradenton FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the South Bradenton FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous South Bradenton FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few South Bradenton FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the South Bradenton FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the South Bradenton FL region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, 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 assistance may be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in South Bradenton FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near South Bradenton FL, make certain 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. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in South Bradenton
Choose the Best South Bradenton Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your South Bradenton home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in South Bradenton Florida.
South Bradenton Paralegal Studies | South Bradenton Paralegal Schools