Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near West Pensacola Florida
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near West Pensacola FL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration too. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help West Pensacola FL lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level 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 work, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in West Pensacola FL is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be a good option for those living in West Pensacola FL looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the West Pensacola FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of West Pensacola FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick 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 West Pensacola FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the West Pensacola FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable 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's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the West Pensacola FL region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in West Pensacola FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near West Pensacola FL, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in West Pensacola
Enroll in the Best West Pensacola Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree school is a vital 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 West Pensacola home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, 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 influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, 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 education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in West Pensacola Florida.
West Pensacola Paralegal Courses | West Pensacola Paralegal Programs