Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Griswold Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Griswold CT, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered as well. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Griswold CT lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Griswold CT is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned 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 as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Griswold CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least 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 reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Griswold CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Griswold CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Griswold 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 if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Griswold CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring 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 practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Griswold CT region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Griswold CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Griswold CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Griswold
Choose the Best Griswold Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate program is a vital 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 Griswold home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Griswold Connecticut.