Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Simsbury Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Simsbury CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Simsbury CT attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For 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, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Simsbury CT is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get 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 substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Simsbury CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Simsbury 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 certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Simsbury CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal 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 quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Simsbury CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not 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 office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Simsbury CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Simsbury CT area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Simsbury CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Simsbury CT, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Simsbury
Choose the Right Simsbury Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Simsbury residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Simsbury Connecticut.