Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Wisconsin Rapids WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask 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 academic alternatives 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Wisconsin Rapids WI lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable 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 manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 launch your career as a paralegal in Wisconsin Rapids WI is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wisconsin to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for those living in Wisconsin Rapids WI looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Wisconsin Rapids WI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including 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 properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Wisconsin Rapids WI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Wisconsin Rapids WI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Wisconsin Rapids WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Wisconsin Rapids WI area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, 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 as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Wisconsin Rapids WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Wisconsin Rapids WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Wisconsin Rapids
Enroll in the Right Wisconsin Rapids Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Wisconsin Rapids residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin.
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