Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near New Canaan Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near New Canaan CT and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in New Canaan CT is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in New Canaan CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the New Canaan CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of New Canaan CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few New Canaan CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the New Canaan CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 initially investigate those colleges that are within the New Canaan CT area.
What is the Total Cost? 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 training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in New Canaan CT. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near New Canaan CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in New Canaan
Choose the Right New Canaan Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your New Canaan residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in New Canaan Connecticut.
New Canaan Paralegal Certificate | New Canaan Paralegal Degrees