Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Howard Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Howard WI and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Howard WI lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. 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 clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Howard WI is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be a good option for those living in Howard WI looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address 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 sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Howard WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Howard WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Howard WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Howard WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of 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, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Howard WI area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Howard WI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Howard WI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Howard
Enroll in the Right Howard Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Howard residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Howard Wisconsin.