Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Zephyrhills Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Zephyrhills FL and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Zephyrhills FL lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, 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 varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume 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 educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Zephyrhills FL is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Florida to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for students living in Zephyrhills FL searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Zephyrhills FL area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Zephyrhills FL law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Zephyrhills FL law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Zephyrhills FL legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Florida or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Zephyrhills FL region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Zephyrhills FL. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Zephyrhills FL, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Zephyrhills
Enroll in the Right Zephyrhills Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Zephyrhills residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Zephyrhills Florida.
Zephyrhills Paralegal Certificate | Zephyrhills Paralegal Degrees