Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near South Miami Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near South Miami FL, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered as well. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help South Miami FL lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay 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 rather 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 paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in South Miami FL is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations in the profession 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in South Miami FL searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary 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 ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the South Miami FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of South Miami FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several South Miami FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the South Miami FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the South Miami FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in South Miami FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near South Miami FL, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in South Miami
Enroll in the Right South Miami Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your South Miami home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire 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 selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in South Miami Florida.
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