Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Stafford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Stafford CT and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as 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 examine and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Stafford CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Stafford CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools 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 quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Stafford CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to research 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 programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Stafford CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Stafford CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Stafford CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Stafford CT region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained 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 obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Stafford CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Stafford 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 enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Stafford
Choose the Right Stafford Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Stafford home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Stafford Connecticut.
Stafford Paralegal Training | Stafford How To Become A Paralegal