Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Glendale Wisconsin
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Glendale WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Glendale WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because 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 alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Glendale WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Glendale WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Glendale WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Glendale WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools 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 make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Glendale WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Glendale WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Glendale WI region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Glendale WI. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only 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, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Glendale
Enroll in the Best Glendale Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Glendale residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Glendale Wisconsin.
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