Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Newington Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Newington CT and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Newington CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for those living in Newington CT looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure 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 organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Newington CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at 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 final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Newington CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Newington CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Newington CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult 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 an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Newington CT region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Newington CT. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Newington 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 select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Newington
Choose the Best Newington Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Newington residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Newington Connecticut.
Newington Paralegal Certificate | Newington Paralegal Degrees