Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Onalaska Wisconsin
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Onalaska WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Onalaska WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Onalaska WI is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Onalaska WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Onalaska WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to consider also, for instance 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 schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Onalaska WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Onalaska WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Onalaska WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish 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 programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the Onalaska WI area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Onalaska WI. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Onalaska 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 procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Onalaska
Choose the Right Onalaska Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 Onalaska residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Onalaska Wisconsin.