Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Madison Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Madison CT, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered too. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Madison CT attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Madison CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Madison CT searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering 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 earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Madison 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 when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Madison CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Madison CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Madison CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Madison CT region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Madison CT. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Madison CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Madison
Choose the Best Madison Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Madison home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Madison Connecticut.