Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Right One Near Hartford Wisconsin
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Hartford WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Hartford WI attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Hartford WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Hartford WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Hartford WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Hartford WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession 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 select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Hartford WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Hartford WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Hartford WI region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Hartford WI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Hartford WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Hartford
Enroll in the Best Hartford Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 Hartford residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Hartford Wisconsin.
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