Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Berlin Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Berlin CT and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered too. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable 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 belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Berlin CT attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney'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 noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Berlin CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for those living in Berlin CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance 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 might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Berlin CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation 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 ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal 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 program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Berlin CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Berlin CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Berlin CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the Berlin CT region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Berlin CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Berlin CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Berlin
Choose the Best Berlin Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Berlin residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Berlin Connecticut.
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