Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Colchester Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Colchester CT and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Colchester CT is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Colchester CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Colchester CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree 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 issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Colchester CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Colchester CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Colchester CT legal community. 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 pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Colchester CT region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Colchester CT. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Colchester CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Colchester
Enroll in the Best Colchester Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Colchester residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Colchester Connecticut.
Colchester Paralegal Certificate Programs | Colchester Paralegal Certificate