Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Tallahassee Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Tallahassee FL and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Tallahassee FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main 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 Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Tallahassee FL is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue 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 career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Tallahassee FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools 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 quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Tallahassee FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Tallahassee FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Tallahassee FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Tallahassee FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most 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 Tallahassee FL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Tallahassee FL. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Tallahassee FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Tallahassee
Choose the Best Tallahassee Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 comfort and privacy of your Tallahassee residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Tallahassee Florida.
Tallahassee Paralegal Degrees | Tallahassee Paralegal Courses