Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Hudson Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Hudson WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they search for 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. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Hudson WI attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Hudson WI is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Hudson WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Hudson WI area, in addition to vocational and trade 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 degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to research as well, for instance 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 thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Hudson WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Hudson WI law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Hudson WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish 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 may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Hudson WI area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Hudson WI. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Hudson WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Hudson
Choose the Right Hudson Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Hudson residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Hudson Wisconsin.