Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Brookfield Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Brookfield WI and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Brookfield WI lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by 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 might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Brookfield WI is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for those living in Brookfield WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Brookfield WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Brookfield WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Brookfield WI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what 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 exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Brookfield WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field 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 an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose 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 might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Brookfield WI region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. 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 might be available to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Brookfield WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Brookfield WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Brookfield
Choose the Right Brookfield Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Brookfield residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Brookfield Wisconsin.
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