Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Hartford Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Hartford CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Hartford CT attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 launch your career as a legal assistant in Hartford CT is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Hartford CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized 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 obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Hartford CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research 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 investigating 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 pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Hartford CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Hartford CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Hartford CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Hartford CT area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Hartford CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Hartford CT, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Hartford
Choose the Best Hartford Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal training school is a vital 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 at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Hartford residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, 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 career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Hartford Connecticut.