Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Darien Connecticut
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Darien CT, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Darien CT lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For 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 usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
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. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Darien CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Darien CT looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Darien CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Darien 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 available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Darien CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Darien CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Darien CT region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Darien CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Darien CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Darien
Enroll in the Right Darien Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Darien residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, 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 impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Darien Connecticut.