Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Shelton Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Shelton CT, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover 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 the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
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 fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Shelton CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Shelton CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Shelton CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Shelton CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Shelton CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Shelton CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Shelton CT area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Shelton CT. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Shelton CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Shelton
Enroll in the Right Shelton Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a vital 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 at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Shelton residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Shelton Connecticut.