Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Muskego Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Muskego WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions and functions, 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 Muskego WI attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping 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 role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Muskego WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for students living in Muskego WI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Muskego WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 might also receive 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Muskego WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Muskego WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Muskego WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Muskego WI area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Muskego WI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Muskego WI, verify 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 makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Muskego
Enroll in the Best Muskego Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Muskego residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Muskego Wisconsin.