Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Laramie Wyoming
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Laramie WY, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, 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 fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Laramie WY lawyers with a wide range of job duties, 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 practice may assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Laramie WY is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wyoming to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Laramie WY searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Laramie WY area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Laramie WY law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Laramie WY law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Laramie WY legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wyoming legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Wyoming or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Laramie WY area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Laramie WY. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend 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 program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Laramie
Enroll in the Right Laramie Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is a crucial 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 at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Laramie residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Laramie Wyoming.
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