Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Fort Atkinson Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fort Atkinson WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential 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 among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
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 opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Fort Atkinson WI is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal 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 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Fort Atkinson WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education 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 organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Fort Atkinson 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 add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Fort Atkinson WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Fort Atkinson WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Fort Atkinson WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Fort Atkinson WI region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length 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 also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Fort Atkinson WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Fort Atkinson WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Fort Atkinson
Choose the Best Fort Atkinson Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Fort Atkinson residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin.
Fort Atkinson Paralegal Degrees | Fort Atkinson Paralegal Courses