What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding 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 accessible at community and junior colleges in the Caledonia WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to 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 prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency 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 targets 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 demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Caledonia WI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Caledonia WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor 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 a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Caledonia WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Caledonia WI region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Caledonia WI. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Caledonia WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.