Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Plymouth Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Plymouth CT and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus 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 program with so many alternatives? Many potential students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Plymouth CT lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Plymouth CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Plymouth CT searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary 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 school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Plymouth 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 add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Plymouth CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Plymouth CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Plymouth CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating 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 want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the Plymouth CT region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Plymouth CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Plymouth CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Plymouth
Enroll in the Best Plymouth Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Plymouth home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Plymouth Connecticut.
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