Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Glendale Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Glendale WI and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill 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 are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Glendale WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite 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 they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically 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 quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Glendale WI is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Glendale WI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Glendale WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Glendale WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber 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 Glendale WI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Glendale WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Glendale WI area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Glendale WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Glendale WI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Glendale
Enroll in the Best Glendale Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Glendale residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Glendale Wisconsin.