Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best 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 picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Southbury CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Southbury CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as 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 could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Southbury CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most 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 significant issues to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Southbury CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Southbury CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Southbury CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Southbury CT area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Southbury CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Southbury CT, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Southbury
Enroll in the Right Southbury Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 Southbury home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, 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 profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Southbury Connecticut.