Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Bethel Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bethel CT and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Bethel CT 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 functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Bethel CT is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good option for those living in Bethel CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bethel CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly 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 highly regarded 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 focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Bethel CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Bethel CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Bethel CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Bethel CT region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Bethel CT. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Bethel CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Bethel
Enroll in the Right Bethel Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Bethel home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training 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 appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Bethel Connecticut.