Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Greendale Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Greendale WI and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive 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, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account also. We will discuss 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 what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Greendale WI attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Greendale WI is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Greendale WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Greendale WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective 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 crucial factors to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Greendale WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Greendale WI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Greendale WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Greendale WI region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Greendale WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Greendale WI, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Greendale
Choose the Best Greendale Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial 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 comfort and privacy of your Greendale residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Greendale Wisconsin.