Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Wauwatosa Wisconsin
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Wauwatosa WI, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered as well. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Wauwatosa WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Wauwatosa WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Wauwatosa WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Wauwatosa WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Wauwatosa WI law firms 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 exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Wauwatosa WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Wauwatosa WI area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Wauwatosa WI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Wauwatosa WI, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Wauwatosa
Enroll in the Best Wauwatosa Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Wauwatosa home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training 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 decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wauwatosa Wisconsin.