Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Ellington Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Ellington CT and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account too. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Ellington CT attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their everyday activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers 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 other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Ellington CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment 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 advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Ellington CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Ellington CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Ellington CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school 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 several Ellington CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Ellington CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Ellington CT region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost 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 reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Ellington CT. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Ellington CT, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Ellington
Choose the Right Ellington Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Ellington home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community 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 opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Ellington Connecticut.