Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Right One Near Ledyard Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Ledyard CT, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students start by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Ledyard CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Ledyard CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Ledyard CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when 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 searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Ledyard CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Ledyard CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Ledyard CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build 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 want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Ledyard CT area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Ledyard CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Ledyard CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Ledyard
Enroll in the Right Ledyard Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Ledyard home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Ledyard Connecticut.