Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Killingly Center CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues 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 effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Killingly Center CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Killingly Center 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 though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Killingly Center CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Killingly Center CT area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Killingly Center CT. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Killingly Center CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.