Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Oshkosh Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision 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 achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive 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 academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other important 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 basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals 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 functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing 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 maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because 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 alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Oshkosh WI is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Oshkosh WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can 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 ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Oshkosh WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Oshkosh WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick 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 call some Oshkosh WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Oshkosh WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those schools that are within the Oshkosh WI area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Oshkosh WI. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous 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 Oshkosh WI, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Oshkosh
Choose the Right Oshkosh Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward 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 home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school 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 schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Oshkosh Wisconsin.