Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Newington Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Newington CT, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Newington CT lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Newington CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Newington CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible 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 in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as 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 researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Newington CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Newington CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Newington CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. 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 need to first investigate those schools that are within the Newington CT area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember 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 cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Newington CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Newington CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, ask 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 Newington
Enroll in the Best Newington Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Newington home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Newington Connecticut.