Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Danbury Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Danbury CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, 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 many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Danbury CT is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and can be a good option for individuals living in Danbury CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more 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 reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Danbury CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Danbury CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Danbury CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Danbury CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Danbury CT region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Danbury CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Danbury CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Danbury
Enroll in the Best Danbury Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Danbury residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education 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 ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Danbury Connecticut.