Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Seymour Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Seymour CT, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only 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 help Seymour CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually 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 paralegal in Seymour CT is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 discuss the benefits 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 Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Seymour CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Seymour CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential 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 research as well, such as 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 investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Seymour CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Seymour 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 among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Seymour CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through 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, most 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 Seymour CT area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Seymour CT. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Seymour CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Seymour
Enroll in the Best Seymour Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Seymour residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types 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 influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Seymour Connecticut.