Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Wellington Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Wellington FL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, 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 assist Wellington FL lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized 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 suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 begin your career as a legal assistant in Wellington FL is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for 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 comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee 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 common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Wellington FL searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Wellington FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Wellington FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Wellington FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Wellington FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Wellington FL area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Wellington FL. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Wellington FL, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Wellington
Choose the Best Wellington Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies training school is a crucial 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Wellington residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wellington Florida.
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