Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Enfield Connecticut
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Enfield CT, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Enfield CT attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally 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 code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly 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 handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Enfield CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for those living in Enfield CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Enfield CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, such as 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 considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Enfield CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession 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 choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Enfield CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Enfield CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success 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 highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Enfield CT region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Enfield CT. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Enfield CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Enfield
Enroll in the Right Enfield Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Enfield residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Enfield Connecticut.