Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Bristol Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Bristol CT and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Bristol CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Bristol CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Bristol CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Bristol CT law firms will only employ 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 Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Bristol CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Bristol CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Bristol CT area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Bristol CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bristol CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Bristol
Choose the Right Bristol Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Bristol residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program 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 programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bristol Connecticut.