Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Grafton Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Grafton WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many options? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Grafton WI attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 legal assistant in Grafton WI is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for students living in Grafton WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Grafton WI area, in addition to 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 certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Grafton WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Grafton WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Grafton WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Grafton WI area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Grafton WI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Grafton WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Grafton
Choose the Right Grafton Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Grafton residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Grafton Wisconsin.