Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Wilton Manors Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Wilton Manors FL and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is among 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 approach enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, 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 hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Wilton Manors FL attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. 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 limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically 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 start your career as a legal assistant in Wilton Manors FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Florida to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address 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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be a good option for students living in Wilton Manors FL looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. 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 disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Wilton Manors FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over 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 Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Wilton Manors FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Wilton Manors FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Wilton Manors FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Wilton Manors FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount 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 as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Wilton Manors FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Wilton Manors FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Wilton Manors
Choose the Best Wilton Manors Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Wilton Manors home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Wilton Manors Florida.
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