Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Farmington Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Farmington CT and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. 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. More and more educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Farmington CT lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Farmington CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Farmington CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Farmington CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical 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 investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Farmington CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Farmington CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Farmington CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. 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 sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Farmington CT area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Farmington CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Farmington CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Farmington
Choose the Best Farmington Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Farmington residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available 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 pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education 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 ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Farmington Connecticut.
Farmington Paralegal Certificate | Farmington Paralegal Degrees