Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Bethel Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bethel CT and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But 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 closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices 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 fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, 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 Bethel CT attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Bethel CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Bethel CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can 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 quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bethel CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Bethel CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Bethel CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Bethel CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Bethel CT region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Bethel CT. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Bethel CT, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Bethel
Enroll in the Right Bethel Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Bethel residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Bethel Connecticut.
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