Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Cudahy Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Cudahy WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Cudahy WI attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might 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
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Cudahy WI is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Cudahy WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Cudahy WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Cudahy WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose 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 call some Cudahy WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Cudahy WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Cudahy WI area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include 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 cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Cudahy WI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Cudahy WI, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Cudahy
Enroll in the Best Cudahy Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Cudahy home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Cudahy Wisconsin.
Cudahy Paralegal Certificate Programs | Cudahy Paralegal Certificate