Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Pewaukee Wisconsin
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pewaukee WI, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into account too. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. 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 vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable 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 belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Pewaukee WI attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 launch your career as a legal assistant in Pewaukee WI is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Pewaukee WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized 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 education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into 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 certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Pewaukee WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can 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 potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Pewaukee WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program 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 a few Pewaukee WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Pewaukee WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing 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 great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop 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 community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Pewaukee WI area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Pewaukee WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Pewaukee WI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Pewaukee
Enroll in the Right Pewaukee Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed 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 Pewaukee residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types 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 pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Pewaukee Wisconsin.
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