Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Whitefish Bay Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Whitefish Bay WI and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Whitefish Bay WI lawyers with a wide range 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 practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Whitefish Bay WI is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive 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 as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Whitefish Bay WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Whitefish Bay WI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation 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 thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Whitefish Bay WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Whitefish Bay WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Whitefish Bay WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose 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 might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Whitefish Bay WI area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Whitefish Bay WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Whitefish Bay WI, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Whitefish Bay
Enroll in the Best Whitefish Bay Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Whitefish Bay residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Whitefish Bay Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay Paralegal Certificate | Whitefish Bay Paralegal Degrees