Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Eau Claire WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive 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 options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Eau Claire WI attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Eau Claire WI is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Eau Claire WI searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Eau Claire WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive 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. Many Eau Claire WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program 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 several Eau Claire 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 Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Eau Claire WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Eau Claire WI region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Eau Claire WI. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Eau Claire WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Eau Claire
Choose the Right Eau Claire Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Eau Claire residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Eau Claire Wisconsin.
Eau Claire Paralegal Programs | Eau Claire Paralegal Certificate Programs