Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose 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 start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Newington CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Newington CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized 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 caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered 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 especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Newington CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Newington CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Newington CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating 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 want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Newington CT region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Newington CT. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Newington CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Newington
Enroll in the Best Newington Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Newington residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Newington Connecticut.
Newington Paralegal Programs | Newington Paralegal Certificate Programs