Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Mequon Wisconsin
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Mequon WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Mequon WI attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Mequon WI is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first 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 popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Mequon WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Mequon WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Mequon WI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Mequon WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Mequon WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Mequon WI area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained 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 might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Mequon WI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Mequon WI, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Mequon
Choose the Best Mequon Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Mequon home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Mequon Wisconsin.