Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near South Milwaukee Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near South Milwaukee WI and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist South Milwaukee WI lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, 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 previously covered, 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 quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in South Milwaukee WI is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might 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 boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in South Milwaukee WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school 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 structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now 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 South Milwaukee WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching 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 respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of South Milwaukee WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several South Milwaukee WI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the South Milwaukee WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the South Milwaukee WI region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in South Milwaukee WI. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near South Milwaukee WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in South Milwaukee
Enroll in the Best South Milwaukee Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed 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 South Milwaukee home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence 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 succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in South Milwaukee Wisconsin.
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