Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Janesville Wisconsin
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Janesville WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered also. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take 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 fill comparable job positions 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Janesville WI lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For 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 usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants 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 cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Janesville WI is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits 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.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Janesville WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal 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 considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Janesville WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Janesville WI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Janesville WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Janesville WI legal field. 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 wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Janesville WI region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Janesville WI. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Janesville WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Janesville
Enroll in the Right Janesville Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Janesville residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding 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 be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Janesville Wisconsin.
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