Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Southbury Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Southbury CT, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Southbury CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for those living in Southbury CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Southbury CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Southbury CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Southbury CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Southbury CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good 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 sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Southbury CT region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include 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 expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Southbury CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Southbury CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Southbury
Enroll in the Best Southbury Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Southbury home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Southbury Connecticut.
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