Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Whitewater Wisconsin
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Whitewater WI, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Whitewater WI attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Whitewater WI is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Whitewater WI looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Whitewater WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Whitewater WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn 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 work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Whitewater WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Whitewater WI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Whitewater WI area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Whitewater WI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Whitewater WI, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Whitewater
Choose the Right Whitewater Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Whitewater residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Whitewater Wisconsin.
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