Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Fond Du Lac Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fond Du Lac WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Fond Du Lac WI attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, 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 duties more apropos 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Fond Du Lac WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in Fond Du Lac WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Fond Du Lac WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Fond Du Lac WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Fond Du Lac WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Fond Du Lac WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Fond Du Lac WI region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Fond Du Lac WI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Fond Du Lac WI, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Fond Du Lac
Choose the Right Fond Du Lac Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Fond Du Lac home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin.
Fond Du Lac Paralegal Certificate Online | Fond Du Lac Paralegal Studies