Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Stafford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Stafford CT and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Stafford CT lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Stafford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Stafford CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Stafford CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know 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 many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. 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 as well. A number of Stafford CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Stafford CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Stafford CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Stafford CT region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? 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 cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Stafford CT. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Stafford CT, make sure classes are offered 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 missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Stafford
Choose the Best Stafford Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is an important 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 participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Stafford home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Stafford Connecticut.
Stafford Paralegal Certificate Programs | Stafford Paralegal Certificate