Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near East Hartford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near East Hartford CT and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Some prospective 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. But keep in mind, 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 a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist East Hartford CT attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in East Hartford CT is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for students living in East Hartford CT searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss 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 considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the East Hartford CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can 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 many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important aspects to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation 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 and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous East Hartford CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few East Hartford CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the East Hartford CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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 graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the East Hartford CT region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, 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 also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to 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 program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near East Hartford CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in East Hartford
Enroll in the Best East Hartford Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal training program is a crucial first step toward 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 privacy and comfort of your East Hartford residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in East Hartford Connecticut.
East Hartford Paralegal Schools | East Hartford Paralegal Training