Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Farmington Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Farmington CT and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Farmington CT attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour 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 duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main 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 clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Farmington CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Farmington CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior 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 when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to consider as well, for instance 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 effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Farmington CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Farmington CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Farmington CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Farmington CT area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Farmington CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Farmington CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Farmington
Enroll in the Best Farmington Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Farmington home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various 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 vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Farmington Connecticut.
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