Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Superior Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Superior WI and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, 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 help Superior WI attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very 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 they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Superior WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Superior WI searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary 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 discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Superior WI area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 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. A number of Superior WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Superior WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide 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 a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Superior WI legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Superior WI region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Superior WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Superior WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Superior
Enroll in the Right Superior Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Superior residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Superior Wisconsin.