Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near East Lyme Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near East Lyme CT, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in East Lyme CT is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although 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 also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in East Lyme CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the East Lyme CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous East Lyme CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some East Lyme CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the East Lyme CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide 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 undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable 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 might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the East Lyme CT region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in East Lyme CT. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near East Lyme CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in East Lyme
Enroll in the Best East Lyme Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your East Lyme home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in East Lyme Connecticut.