Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Newington Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Newington CT, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Newington CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Newington CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can 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 offered also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for those living in Newington CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded 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 certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Newington 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 add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Newington CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out 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 prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Newington CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Newington CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Newington CT area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. 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 aid may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Newington CT. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Newington CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Newington
Enroll in the Right Newington Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Newington home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Newington Connecticut.
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