Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Brown Deer Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Brown Deer WI and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, 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 Brown Deer WI attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more apropos 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 handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Brown Deer WI is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Brown Deer WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Brown Deer WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of 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 factors to think about 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 schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Brown Deer WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Brown Deer WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Brown Deer WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly 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 assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Brown Deer WI area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Brown Deer WI. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Brown Deer WI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Brown Deer
Enroll in the Best Brown Deer Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Brown Deer residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Brown Deer Wisconsin.