Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near New London Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near New London CT and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration too. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist New London CT lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in New London CT is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in New London CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the New London CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of New London CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some New London CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the New London CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the New London CT region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize 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 London CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near New London CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in New London
Enroll in the Right New London Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your New London home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in New London Connecticut.
New London Paralegal Programs | New London Paralegal Certificate Programs