Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Naugatuck Connecticut
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Naugatuck CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Naugatuck CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for students living in Naugatuck CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures 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 ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Naugatuck CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 crucial aspects 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 programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 targets online or distance 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. Numerous Naugatuck CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Naugatuck CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Naugatuck CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Naugatuck CT area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Naugatuck CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Naugatuck CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Naugatuck
Enroll in the Right Naugatuck Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Naugatuck residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Naugatuck Connecticut.