Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Fitchburg Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fitchburg WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Fitchburg WI attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Fitchburg WI is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Fitchburg WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Fitchburg WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare 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 searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Fitchburg WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Fitchburg WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Fitchburg WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Fitchburg WI region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Fitchburg WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Fitchburg WI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Fitchburg
Enroll in the Best Fitchburg Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Fitchburg residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Fitchburg Wisconsin.
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