Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Neenah Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Neenah WI and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. 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 a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered as well. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives 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 roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Neenah WI attorneys with a diverse array 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 practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather 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 tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Neenah WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Neenah WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure 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 highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Neenah WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential 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 crucial issues to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Neenah WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Neenah WI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Neenah WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially 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 finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish 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 wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Neenah WI area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Neenah WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Neenah WI, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Neenah
Choose the Right Neenah Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is a crucial 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 privacy and comfort of your Neenah home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Neenah Wisconsin.
Neenah Paralegal Training | Neenah How To Become A Paralegal