Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Winter Haven Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Winter Haven FL and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Winter Haven FL attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Winter Haven FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss 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.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Winter Haven FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss 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 sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Winter Haven FL area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to research as well, such as 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 programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Winter Haven FL law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Winter Haven FL law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Winter Haven FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those schools that are within the Winter Haven FL region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost 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 accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Winter Haven FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Winter Haven FL, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Winter Haven
Choose the Best Winter Haven Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Winter Haven residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Winter Haven Florida.
Winter Haven Paralegal Programs | Winter Haven Paralegal Certificate Programs