Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Hartford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Hartford CT and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically 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 quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Hartford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain 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 substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for students living in Hartford CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can 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 receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Hartford CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant factors to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Hartford CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Hartford CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Hartford CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good 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 vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Hartford CT region.
How Much is the Entire 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 include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Hartford CT. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Hartford CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Hartford
Enroll in the Right Hartford Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Hartford home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Hartford Connecticut.
Hartford Paralegal Certificate Programs | Hartford Paralegal Certificate