Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Wesley Chapel Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Wesley Chapel FL and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered also. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Wesley Chapel FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other 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 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 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Wesley Chapel FL is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Wesley Chapel FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Wesley Chapel FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify 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. Numerous Wesley Chapel FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Wesley Chapel FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Wesley Chapel FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason 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 investigate those schools that are within the Wesley Chapel FL area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Wesley Chapel FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Wesley Chapel FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Wesley Chapel
Choose the Right Wesley Chapel Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 Wesley Chapel home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wesley Chapel Florida.
Wesley Chapel Paralegal Courses | Wesley Chapel Paralegal Programs