Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Baraboo Wisconsin
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Baraboo WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest 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 like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post 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 have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Baraboo WI attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep 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 involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Baraboo WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in Baraboo WI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Baraboo WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential 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 significant factors to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Baraboo WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Baraboo WI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Baraboo WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary 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 desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Baraboo WI area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Baraboo WI. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Baraboo WI, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Baraboo
Enroll in the Right Baraboo Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Baraboo home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Baraboo Wisconsin.