Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Coventry Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Coventry CT and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices 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 finding the right school with so many alternatives? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Coventry CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in Coventry CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Coventry CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Coventry CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific 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 training exclusively. Checking 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 call a few Coventry CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Coventry CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose 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 even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Coventry CT area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Coventry CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Coventry CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Coventry
Enroll in the Right Coventry Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Coventry home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided 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 Coventry Connecticut.