Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Ridgefield Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Ridgefield CT and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Ridgefield CT attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Ridgefield CT is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Ridgefield CT looking 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 degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus 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 discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Ridgefield CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Ridgefield CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Ridgefield CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Ridgefield CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Ridgefield CT region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Ridgefield CT. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Ridgefield CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Ridgefield
Enroll in the Right Ridgefield Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Ridgefield home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Ridgefield Connecticut.
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