Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Ellington Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Ellington CT and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic choices 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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Ellington CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Ellington CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Ellington CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out 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 the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Ellington CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Ellington CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School 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 present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Ellington CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Ellington CT area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Ellington CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Ellington CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Ellington
Choose the Right Ellington Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Ellington home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Ellington Connecticut.
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