Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Green Bay Wisconsin
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Green Bay WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Green Bay WI is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Green Bay WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Green Bay WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Green Bay WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Green Bay WI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Green Bay WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the Green Bay WI area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, 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 offset some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Green Bay WI. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Green Bay 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 choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Green Bay
Enroll in the Right Green Bay Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Green Bay home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose 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 school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Green Bay Wisconsin.