Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Grafton Wisconsin
Once 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 choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, 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 many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Grafton WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Grafton WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can 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 offered as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Grafton WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Grafton WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects 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 should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify 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 also. A number of Grafton WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings 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. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Grafton WI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Grafton WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out 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 indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Grafton WI area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Grafton WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Grafton WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Grafton
Choose the Right Grafton Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Grafton Wisconsin.