Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Janesville Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Janesville WI and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, 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
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Janesville WI attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Janesville WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six 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 numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Janesville WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Janesville WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Janesville WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Janesville WI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Janesville WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication 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? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. 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 need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Janesville WI area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, 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 obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Janesville WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Janesville 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 makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Janesville
Enroll in the Best Janesville Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Janesville home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public 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 school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Janesville Wisconsin.
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