Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near East Hartford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near East Hartford CT and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist East Hartford CT lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in East Hartford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for those living in East Hartford CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the East Hartford CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of East Hartford CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some East Hartford CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. 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 Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the East Hartford CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the East Hartford CT region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in East Hartford CT. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near East Hartford CT, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in East Hartford
Choose the Best East Hartford Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your East Hartford residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in East Hartford Connecticut.
East Hartford Paralegal Certificate Programs | East Hartford Paralegal Certificate