Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Gillette Wyoming
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Gillette WY and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive 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 educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues 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 have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions 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 different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Gillette WY lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, 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 work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys 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 possibly 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 start your career as a legal assistant in Gillette WY is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Wyoming to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Gillette WY searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Gillette WY area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree 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 covered, there are other important aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Gillette WY law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Gillette WY law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Gillette WY legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Wyoming legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in Wyoming or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Gillette WY area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Gillette WY. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Gillette WY, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Gillette
Enroll in the Best Gillette Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 comfort and privacy of your Gillette home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Gillette Wyoming.