Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Beaver Dam Wisconsin
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Beaver Dam WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at 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 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 are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Beaver Dam WI attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Beaver Dam WI is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in Beaver Dam WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least 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 reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Beaver Dam WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Beaver Dam WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely 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 several Beaver Dam WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Beaver Dam WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Beaver Dam WI area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Beaver Dam WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Beaver Dam WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Beaver Dam
Choose the Best Beaver Dam Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Beaver Dam home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Beaver Dam Wisconsin.
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