Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near South Miami Heights Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near South Miami Heights FL and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive 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 academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same 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 different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist South Miami Heights FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice 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. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in South Miami Heights FL is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work 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 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for students living in South Miami Heights FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the South Miami Heights FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to research 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 programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School 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 can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of South Miami Heights FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some South Miami Heights FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though 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 provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the South Miami Heights FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want 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 might need to first consider those schools that are within the South Miami Heights FL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in South Miami Heights FL. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near South Miami Heights FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in South Miami Heights
Choose the Right South Miami Heights Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your South Miami Heights residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, 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 opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in South Miami Heights Florida.
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