Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Plainfield Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Plainfield CT, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Plainfield CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good option for individuals living in Plainfield CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Plainfield CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Plainfield CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Plainfield CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Plainfield CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable 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 from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Plainfield CT area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Plainfield CT. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Plainfield CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Plainfield
Choose the Right Plainfield Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed 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 Plainfield residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Plainfield Connecticut.
Plainfield Paralegal Programs | Plainfield Paralegal Certificate Programs