Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Stafford Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Stafford CT, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Many potential students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration too. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Stafford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Stafford CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Stafford CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn 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 also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Stafford CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Stafford CT law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Stafford CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools 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 substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea 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 cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Stafford CT region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. 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 assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Stafford CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Stafford CT, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Stafford
Enroll in the Right Stafford Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Stafford home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Stafford Connecticut.