Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Verona Wisconsin
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Verona WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many options? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and functions, 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Verona WI attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Verona WI is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired 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 choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial 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 programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Verona WI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Verona WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 already covered, there are other important factors to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Verona WI law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose 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 a few Verona WI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Verona 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 pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing 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 corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Verona WI area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, 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 aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Verona WI. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Verona WI, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Verona
Enroll in the Right Verona Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 Verona home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Verona Wisconsin.
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