Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Gillette Wyoming
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Gillette WY and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program 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 a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have 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
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Gillette WY lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering 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 lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Gillette WY is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wyoming to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Gillette WY looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Gillette WY area, as well as 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 looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Gillette WY law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Gillette WY law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Gillette WY legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Wyoming legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Wyoming or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Gillette WY area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Gillette WY. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Gillette WY, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Gillette
Choose the Right Gillette Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 Gillette home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Gillette Wyoming.
Gillette Paralegal Programs | Gillette Paralegal Certificate Programs