Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Whitefish Bay Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Whitefish Bay WI and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into consideration too. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Whitefish Bay WI attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed 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. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Whitefish Bay WI is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be a good option for students living in Whitefish Bay WI searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools 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 quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Whitefish Bay WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Whitefish Bay WI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Whitefish Bay WI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Whitefish Bay WI legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Whitefish Bay WI region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Whitefish Bay WI. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Whitefish Bay WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Whitefish Bay
Enroll in the Right Whitefish Bay Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Whitefish Bay home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Whitefish Bay Wisconsin.
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