Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Zephyrhills Florida
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Zephyrhills FL and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, 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? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Zephyrhills FL attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday tasks can 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
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable 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 handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 requirements 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 take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want 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 establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Zephyrhills FL looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Zephyrhills FL area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to research also, such as 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 researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get 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 are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn 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 have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Zephyrhills FL law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Zephyrhills FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. 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 initially consider those colleges that are within the Zephyrhills FL region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Zephyrhills FL. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Zephyrhills FL, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Zephyrhills
Choose the Best Zephyrhills Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Zephyrhills residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced 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 succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Zephyrhills Florida.
Zephyrhills Paralegal Programs | Zephyrhills Paralegal Certificate Programs