Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Right One Near Fairfield Connecticut

Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fairfield CT, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.

Paralegals vs Legal Assistants

Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job roles 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 help Fairfield CT attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks can involve:

• Researching and fact checking cases
• Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
• Drafting correspondence and legal papers
• Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
• Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
• Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records

With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.

Paralegal Training and Certification

As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Fairfield CT is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.

Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs

Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Fairfield CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs

Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Fairfield CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 already covered, there are other critical factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.

Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, 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 training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Fairfield CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.

What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Fairfield CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.

Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Fairfield CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools 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 substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate 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 area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Fairfield CT region.

How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Fairfield CT. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.

Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Fairfield CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.

Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fairfield

Choose the Right Fairfield Paralegal Studies Program

Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Fairfield home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Fairfield Connecticut.

 

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