Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Sweetwater Florida
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sweetwater FL, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to 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 equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Sweetwater FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level 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 work, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Sweetwater FL is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Sweetwater FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly 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 programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Sweetwater FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Sweetwater FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select 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 a few Sweetwater FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Sweetwater FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Sweetwater FL region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Sweetwater FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Sweetwater FL, make sure 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. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Sweetwater
Choose the Best Sweetwater Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 Sweetwater home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Sweetwater Florida.