Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Laramie Wyoming
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Laramie WY and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, 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 different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Laramie WY lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Laramie WY is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wyoming to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Laramie WY searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum 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 considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Laramie WY area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected 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 targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Laramie WY law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Laramie WY law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Laramie WY legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wyoming legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Wyoming or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within the Laramie WY area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Laramie WY. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Laramie WY, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Laramie
Enroll in the Best Laramie Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Laramie home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Laramie Wyoming.
Laramie Paralegal Training | Laramie How To Become A Paralegal