Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Best One Near Verona Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Verona WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous options? Many potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Verona WI attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Verona WI is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for students living in Verona WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Verona WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain 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 show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Verona WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Verona WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Verona WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Verona WI area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Verona WI. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Verona WI, make certain classes are available 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. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Verona
Enroll in the Best Verona Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Verona residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Verona Wisconsin.