Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Racine Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Racine WI and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Racine WI lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Racine WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer 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, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 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 Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Racine WI searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Racine WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Racine WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Racine WI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember 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 offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Racine WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Racine WI region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Racine WI. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Racine WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Racine
Choose the Right Racine Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Racine home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Racine Wisconsin.