Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Oshkosh Wisconsin
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Oshkosh WI, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Oshkosh WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Oshkosh WI is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Oshkosh WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Oshkosh WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Oshkosh WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Oshkosh WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Oshkosh WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly 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 hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Oshkosh WI area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Oshkosh WI. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Oshkosh WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Oshkosh
Choose the Best Oshkosh Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Oshkosh residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Oshkosh Wisconsin.
Oshkosh Paralegal Certificate Programs | Oshkosh Paralegal Certificate