Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Guilford Connecticut
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Guilford CT, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into account also. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and functions, only 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 Guilford CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay 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 involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Guilford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good option for those living in Guilford CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Guilford CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to consider also, including 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 properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Guilford CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Guilford CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Guilford CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable 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 desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Guilford CT area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Guilford CT. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Guilford 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 offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Guilford
Enroll in the Best Guilford Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal degree school is an essential first step to guarantee 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Guilford residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Guilford Connecticut.