Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near East Lyme Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near East Lyme CT and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in East Lyme CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in East Lyme CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the East Lyme CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many East Lyme CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several East Lyme CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the East Lyme CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the East Lyme CT region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in East Lyme CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near East Lyme CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in East Lyme
Choose the Right East Lyme Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your East Lyme home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in East Lyme Connecticut.