Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Franklin Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Franklin WI and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Franklin WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Franklin WI is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although 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 also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Franklin WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Franklin WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to 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 potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Franklin WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Franklin WI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Franklin WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish 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 attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Franklin WI area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Franklin WI. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Franklin WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in 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 Franklin
Enroll in the Best Franklin Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Franklin residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Franklin Wisconsin.
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