Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Cedarburg Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Cedarburg WI and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? Many potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account as well. We will address those topics 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 educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, 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 help Cedarburg WI lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep 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 involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Cedarburg WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Cedarburg WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Cedarburg WI area, in addition to 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 prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Cedarburg WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Cedarburg WI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Cedarburg WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Cedarburg WI area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Cedarburg WI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Cedarburg WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Cedarburg
Choose the Right Cedarburg Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Cedarburg home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Cedarburg Wisconsin.