Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near East Norwalk Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near East Norwalk CT and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist East Norwalk CT lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs 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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in East Norwalk CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 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 numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in East Norwalk CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the East Norwalk CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many East Norwalk CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several East Norwalk CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the East Norwalk CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success 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 substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the East Norwalk CT region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in East Norwalk CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near East Norwalk CT, make certain 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, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in East Norwalk
Choose the Best East Norwalk Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your East Norwalk residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in East Norwalk Connecticut.
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