Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Clinton Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Clinton CT and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Clinton CT lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. 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 confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand 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 alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Clinton CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good option for individuals living in Clinton CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training 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 respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Clinton CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 also. Numerous Clinton CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Clinton CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which 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 excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Clinton CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Clinton CT region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Clinton CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Clinton CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Clinton
Enroll in the Right Clinton Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Clinton residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Clinton Connecticut.
Clinton Paralegal Certificate Online | Clinton Paralegal Studies