Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near New London Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near New London CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in New London CT is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good option for individuals living in New London CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. 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 dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices 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 New London CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know 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 most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
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 program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of New London CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few New London CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the New London CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the New London CT area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure 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 minimize part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in New London CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near New London CT, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in New London
Choose the Right New London Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your New London residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in New London Connecticut.
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