Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Fairfield Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fairfield CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Fairfield CT attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, 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 action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Fairfield CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Fairfield CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes 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 address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Fairfield CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can 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 prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school 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 get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Fairfield CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Fairfield CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Fairfield CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs 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 substantial 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 Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Fairfield CT region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Fairfield CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Fairfield 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, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fairfield
Enroll in the Right Fairfield Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Fairfield residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Fairfield Connecticut.