Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Caledonia Wisconsin
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Caledonia WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school 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 academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly 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 for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Caledonia WI lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Caledonia WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Caledonia WI searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Caledonia WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, 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 considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. 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 also. A number of Caledonia WI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Caledonia WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Caledonia WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable 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 Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Caledonia WI region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Caledonia WI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Caledonia WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Caledonia
Choose the Best Caledonia Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Caledonia home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training 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 ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Caledonia Wisconsin.