Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Westchester Florida
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Westchester FL, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Westchester FL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering 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 attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer 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. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
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. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Westchester FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work 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 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Westchester FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more 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 program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example 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 Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Westchester 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 particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential 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 aspects to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get 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 receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Westchester FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Westchester FL law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Westchester FL legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those schools that are within the Westchester FL area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length 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 as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Westchester FL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Westchester FL, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Westchester
Enroll in the Right Westchester Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting 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 on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Westchester residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and 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 prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Westchester Florida.
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