Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Stoughton Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Stoughton WI and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Stoughton WI attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing 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 allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited 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, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Stoughton WI is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many 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 two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for individuals living in Stoughton WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Stoughton WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable 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 focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Stoughton 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 available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking 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 contact some Stoughton WI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Stoughton WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after 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 difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Stoughton WI area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Stoughton WI. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced 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 Stoughton WI, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Stoughton
Choose the Best Stoughton Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Stoughton home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Stoughton Wisconsin.
Stoughton Paralegal Certificate | Stoughton Paralegal Degrees