Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Casper Wyoming
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Casper WY and start your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold 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 are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Casper WY attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Casper WY is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Wyoming to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 school (we will cover the advantages 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 Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Casper WY searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, 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 receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Casper WY area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization 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 training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Casper WY law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Casper WY law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Casper WY legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask 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 large networks and good relationships with Wyoming legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Wyoming or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Casper WY area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Casper WY. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Casper WY, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Casper
Enroll in the Right Casper Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Casper residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, 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. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Casper Wyoming.