Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Branford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Branford CT and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school 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 start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as 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 what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, 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 paralegals and legal assistants help Branford CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really 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 volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Branford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can 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 may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 common and can be a good option for students living in Branford CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about 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 conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Branford CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may 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 standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Branford CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Branford CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Branford CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs 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 Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication 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 vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Branford CT region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Branford CT. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Branford CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Branford
Enroll in the Best Branford Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is a vital 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 on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Branford home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting 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 be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Branford Connecticut.